Disagreement between assessment of ASD utilizing the ADOS-2 and DSM-5 – A preliminary study

Abstract

This study compares the classification of ASD using ADOS-2 with diagnoses using DSM-5 among children between 8 and 10 years old. Case series data were used on four children who were referred with suspected autism, and as a result a discrepancy was found between the ADOS-2 assessment and the overall diagnosis. Initial findings indicated that age, additional diagnoses, and over-reliance on observation may bias the ADOS-2 classification. In particular, children who were diagnosed with other disorders that share symptoms with ASD exhibit behaviors that may bias the ADOS-2 classification as it relies on observed behavior without considering the underlying cause. This discrepancy points to the importance of utilizing and integrating multiple sources of information in the process of establishing an ASD diagnosis, and suggests a need for specialized clinical training in diagnosing autism and other related co-morbid conditions in children aged 8–10. This preliminary data calls for further research into the area, especially due to the current over-reliance on the ADOS-2 in clinical practice and research.