The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule—Generic: A Standard Measure of Social and Communication Deficits Associated with the Spectrum of Autism
Abstract
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic (ADOS-G) is a semistructured, standardized assessment of social interaction, communication, play, and imaginative use of materials for individuals suspected of having autism spectrum disorders. The observational schedule consists of four 30-minute modules, each designed to be administered to different individuals according to their level of expressive language. Psychometric data are presented for 223 children and adults with Autistic Disorder (autism), Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDDNOS) or nonspectrum diagnoses. Within each module, diagnostic groups were equivalent on expressive language level. Results indicate substantial interrater and test-retest reliability for individual items, excellent interrater reliability within domains and excellent internal consistency. Comparisons of means indicated consistent differentiation of autism and PDDNOS from nonspectrum individuals, with some, but less consistent, differentiation of autism from PDDNOS. A priori operationalization of DSM-IV/ICD-10 criteria, factor analyses, and ROC curves were used to generate diagnostic algorithms with thresholds set for autism and broader autism spectrum/PDD. Algorithm sensitivities and specificities for autism and PDDNOS relative to nonspectrum disorders were excellent, with moderate differentiation of autism from PDDNOS.
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ASD diagnosis was confirmed with the ADI-R and/or ADOS-G following NICHD/NIDCD Collaborative Programs for Excellence in Autism criteria.
“ASD diagnosis was confirmed with the Autism Diagnostic Interview—Revised (ADI-R)(Lord, Rutter, & Le Couteur, 1994) and/or the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule—Generic (ADOS-G)(Lord et al., 2000) following the criteria established by the NICHD/NIDCD Collaborative Programs for Excellence in Autism (Lainhart et al., 2006).”
From Data‐driven identification of subtypes of executive function across typical development, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorders (2020) · cites this paper as Lord et al., 2000
A qualified administrator used the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, second edition, to measure symptom severity in the ASD participants.
“The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (2nd edition) 54 assessment was completed by a qualified administrator to assess symptom severity in the ASD participants.”
From Adults with autism overestimate the volatility of the sensory environment (2017) · cites this paper as [54]
Autism diagnosis was verified by age-appropriate screening (M-CHAT or SCQ) followed by ADOS evaluation conducted by a research-reliable assessor.
“To verify ASD, students were screened for autism with the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT; Robins, Fein, Barton, & Green, 2001) or the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ; Berument, Rutter, Lord, Pickles, & Bailey, 1999), depending on age. Students were then evaluated using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (Lord et al., 2000) to verify diagnosis by an evaluator with”
From Too Stressed to Teach? Teaching Quality, Student Engagement, and IEP Outcomes (2017) · cites this paper as Lord et al., 2000
All ASD participants at the US site and 28 of 40 at the UK site completed the ADOS-G administered by a researcher trained to research reliability.
“All ASD participants at the US site and many at the UK site (28 out of 40) completed the ADOS-G (Lord et al., 2000) administered by a researcher trained to research reliability.”
From Modeling the cognitive mechanisms linking autism symptoms and anxiety in adults. (2016) · cites this paper as Lord et al., 2000
Diagnosis for the participants with HFA was confirmed by psychiatrists using the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic (ADOS-G) criteria for autism/autism spectrum disorder.
“Diagnosis for the participants with HFA was confirmed by psychiatrists using the Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised (ADI-R) (Lord, Rutter, & Le Couteur, 1994) and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule–Generic (ADOS-G) (Lord et al., 2000) criteria for autism/autism spectrum disorder.”
From Dissociation in performance of children with ADHD and high-functioning autism on a task of sustained attention (2007) · cites this paper as Lord et al., 2000
Both ASD and ADHD are currently diagnosed on the basis of parent interview and clinical observation.
“Both ASD and ADHD are currently diagnosed on the basis of parent interview and clinical observation,9, 10, 11”
From Progress and roadblocks in the search for brain-based biomarkers of autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (2017) · cites this paper as [9]
All sites verified proband diagnoses in the high-risk group, typically using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and/or parent interviews such as the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised or the Social Communication Questionnaire.
“All sites verified proband diagnoses in the high-risk group, typically using the ADOS22 and/or parent interviews such as the Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised23 or the Social Communication Questionnaire.24”
From Beyond Autism: A Baby Siblings Research Consortium Study of High-Risk Children at Three Years of Age (2013) · cites this paper as [22]
The ADOS-based severity measure was originally designed to distinguish among children with autism spectrum disorder, but has subsequently been used to distinguish among high-risk siblings without autism spectrum disorder diagnoses.
“The study relied on an ADOS-based measure of ASD severity that was originally designed to distinguish among children with an ASD.22,25 However, the severity measure has subsequently been used to distinguish among HR siblings without ASD diagnoses.45”
From Beyond Autism: A Baby Siblings Research Consortium Study of High-Risk Children at Three Years of Age (2013) · cites this paper as [22]
The DSM-IV diagnoses of autism were based on clinical interviews with the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule.
“The DSM-IV diagnoses of autism were based on clinical interviews with the Autism Diagnostic Interview—Revised (ADI-R) (37) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) (38).”
From The Neural Circuitry Mediating Shifts in Behavioral Response and Cognitive Set in Autism (2008) · cites this paper as [38]
ASD community diagnoses were confirmed with ADOS-G or ADOS-2 and ADI-R.
“Community diagnoses of ASD were confirmed with the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-G, Lord et al., 2000, or ADOS-2, Lord et al., 2012, based on study enrollment date) and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R, Rutter et al., 2005).”
From Investigating functional brain network integrity using a traditional and novel categorical scheme for neurodevelopmental disorders (2019) · cites this paper as Lord et al., 2000
Autism spectrum disorder diagnosis was established using trained and experienced clinicians applying DSM-IV-TR criteria and standardized diagnostic instruments.
“Included participants received an ASD diagnosis from trained and experienced clinicians applying DSM-IV-TR criteria (APA 2000) and met diagnostic criteria established by the NICHD/NIDCD Collaborative Programs for Excellence in Autism (Lainhart et al. 2006) using expert clinical judgment based on all available clinical data including the Autism Diagnostic Interview/Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revis”
From Characterizing the Factor Structure of Parent Reported Executive Function in Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Impact of Cognitive Inflexibility (2014) · cites this paper as Lord et al. 2000
ASD diagnosis was confirmed using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and the Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R).
“with ASD diagnosis confirmed using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule70 and the Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R)35.”
From Intranasal oxytocin enhances connectivity in the neural circuitry supporting social motivation and social perception in children with autism (2016) · cites this paper as [70]
Intensive behavioral therapy is currently the only effective treatment for the three diagnostic symptoms of autism.
“Intensive behavioral therapy is currently the only effective treatment for the three diagnostic symptoms: qualitative impairment in social interaction, deficits in communication, and stereotyped repetitive behaviors with restricted interests (5–10).”
From Negative allosteric modulation of the mGluR5 receptor reduces repetitive behaviors and rescues social deficits in mouse models of autism (2012) · cites this paper as [6]
Diagnoses of ASD were confirmed using ADOS-G and ADI-R conducted by experienced clinicians.
“In the ASD group, diagnoses were confirmed using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic (ADOS-G; Lord et al., 2000) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R; Lord et al., 1994) conducted by experienced clinicians.”
From Differentiating neural reward responsiveness in autism versus ADHD (2014) · cites this paper as Lord et al., 2000
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References 29 · Cited by 7,520
- Authors
- Lord, C., Risi, S., Lambrecht, L., Cook, E. H., Leventhal, B. L., DiLavore, P. C., Pickles, A., & Rutter, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Chicago (US)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
- University of Manchester (GB)
- Venue
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Published
- 2000-06
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 205-223
- ISSN
- 0162-3257 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-3432
- OpenAlex
- W2144446993
- Cited by
- 7,520
- References
- 29
- Citations by year
- 2026: 162 · 2025: 232 · 2024: 303 · 2023: 321 · 2022: 361 · 2021: 385 · 2020: 404 · 2019: 414 · 2018: 408 · 2017: 477 · 2016: 418 · 2015: 470 · 2014: 488 · 2013: 494 · 2012: 420
- FWCI
- 22.53
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Yale University
- University of California, San Diego
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Behavioral and Psychological Studies
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, communication assessment, inter-rater reliability, test-retest reliability, internal consistency, diagnostic algorithm, sensitivity and specificity
- MeSH terms
- Autistic Disorder, Child, Child Behavior Disorders, Child, Preschool, Communication Disorders, Female, Humans, Male, Psychological Tests, Social Behavior, Social Perception, Socialization, Reproducibility of Results, Observation
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