Questionnaire for Spectrum -- Question about Results

[Anonymous]

I'll cut to the chase with thanks for any feedback: DD has met twice with a very reputable psychiatrist, who gave us three instruments to complete (SCARED for both parent and child); the Connor (for screening ADHD); and another form that DH and I completed, one which could be 'scored' in the office. I do not recall the name of that instrument, and that's part of my question.

While the Connor and the SCARED tests revealed/confirmed what we suspected (ADHD, anxiety, some depression), we were a bit surprised by the results of the test screening for Asperger's, autism, etc.,. The score was a '9', which apparently is right on the cusp. The doctor indicated he had predicted DD might be in a more 'gray' zone in terms of being on the spectrum, and a '9' confirms this.

DH and I are still processing all of the information, but in the immediate moment, I would feel better informed if I knew the name of the instrument. It's double sided and has carbon paper in the middle so that the evaluator can quickly tally results. Does anyone know what the name might be?

I can of course call the doctor, but I'd like to have any information I can get ASAP.

TIA. I will post separately asking for advice, support, etc.,. We are no longer in the Washington area, but I continue to find a lot of compassion and care (and information) from this listserv, which I appreciate.

[Anonymous]

ADOS?

[Anonymous]

It cannot be ADOS bc that is not filled out by parents. The child is usually tested by "playing" with a tester while being observed by another tester who scores the interactions.


It sounds like you should get ADOS/ADI-R testing which is the current gold standard for diagnosing ASD.

[Anonymous]

Also, there is no grey zone in ADOS/ADI-R. You either have ASD or not. Mine made it by a point.

[Anonymous]

Our clinician used the Social Responsiveness Scale to help diagnose ASD, but that was just one thing he used to help understand the big picture. Also the BRIEF for executive function skills and the NEPSY-II for theory of mind (but I think that was a test administered directly to DC, not a checklist).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, there is no grey zone in ADOS/ADI-R. You either have ASD or not. Mine made it by a point.

I want to clarify that when DS was tested at Children's, they give the parents and teachers a whole slew of tests including ADI-R, checklists, etc to fill out. ASD is not *just* diagnosed by ADOS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, there is no grey zone in ADOS/ADI-R. You either have ASD or not. Mine made it by a point.

There may be a cutoff score, but there is always a gray zone in diagnosis. Kids behave differently on different days, in different conditions, at different ages. ASD is a spectrum. In addition, the ADOS has a bunch of subscales, and the total score is less useful (particularly for a child who is right at the cutoff) than the subscale scores.

Not saying it is not a helpful instrument, but it is not the gold standard, nor is it a 100% reliable indicator of autism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, there is no grey zone in ADOS/ADI-R. You either have ASD or not. Mine made it by a point.

There may be a cutoff score, but there is always a gray zone in diagnosis. Kids behave differently on different days, in different conditions, at different ages. ASD is a spectrum. In addition, the ADOS has a bunch of subscales, and the total score is less useful (particularly for a child who is right at the cutoff) than the subscale scores.

Not saying it is not a helpful instrument, but it is not the gold standard, nor is it a 100% reliable indicator of autism.

Thus all the other input from parents and teachers. While DS only made it on the spectrum by a point on the ADOS all the other testing was not *grey* at all.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, everyone. As you can tell by my post, I am just starting to learn and understand, and I appreciate the feedback.