ASD Assessment | Nida Taufiq MAMA

Application of Assessment Information for Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder

What is a Comprehensive Assessment of an individual with ASD?

A comprehensive assessment is a multifaceted process completed by professionals, caregivers and individuals with ASD (if appropriate) to:

ensure the accuracy of the diagnosis

What are some elements of a comprehensive assessment?

A comprehensive assessment includes assessment of:

characteristics of ASD
social behavior
speech, language and communication
intellectual functioning
adaptive functioning
sensory functioning
motor functioning
academic functioning
comorbid psychiatric conditions
hearing and vision screening

How is a comprehensive assessment carried out?

A comprehensive assessment is a multi- or interdisciplinary process involving professionals like psychologists, social workers, speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, developmental pediatricians, pediatric neurologists and teachers.

Information is gathered from various settings and sources utilizing tools such as:

Parent / caregiver interviews

What is a standardized assessment?

A "standardized assessment" is a test that is administered and scored in a consistent manner.

What are norm-referenced and criterion-referenced assessments?

Standardized assessments can be either norm-referenced or criterion referenced.

In a Norm-referenced assessment score of a test taker is compared to scores of a “norm group.” The norm group comprises of a statistically selected group of test-takers (e.g. students of similar age or grade level). The test taker is awarded scaled scores and percentile ranks.

In a Criterion-referenced assessment score of a test taker is compared to specific standards or criteria. The test taker is awarded marks, percentage or grades (e.g. 20 out of 50 or 40 %).

Which standardized assessments are commonly used in the evaluation of an individual with ASD?

ADOS-2

(Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition)

aids in establishing a diagnosis of ASD by assessing communication, social interaction, restrictive and repetitive behaviors, and play/imaginative interaction in individuals suspected of having ASD.

"The ADOS continues to be the gold standard observational instrument for both clinical and research purposes in the toddler years (Hedges et al.,2018)."

What are the terminologies used in interpreting test results?
(click the images to view details)

Bell Curve/Normal Distribution:

The bell curve distribution has more values near the center and fewer as you move away.

(Mean, median and mode are all equal)

Measures of Central Tendency:

Mean/average

Median

Mode

Standard deviation

Types of Scores:

Raw score

Scaled score

Standard score

Percentile score

T-score

z-score

How does assessment information translate to meaningful interventions?

The NCAEP (National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice) team reviewed articles published from 1990-2017 and characterized 28 practices as EBPs (Evidence Based Practices) for teaching children, youth and young adults with autism.

Use these EBPs to plan interventions.

EBPs

Want to find out more about ASD?

To learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorder click the page buttons:

ASD Intro : Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder
ASD Methods : Education of Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder
ASD Assessments: Application of Assessment Information for Children & Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder
HFA : Methods for Learners with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder
Resources: Resources for parents, family members, doctors, paraprofessionals and educators
References: References of the information provided in this website