The stability of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule‐2 in children aged 14–36 months with elevated likelihood for autism
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: This study investigated the stability of Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) classifications in a cohort of 304 siblings at elevated likelihood for autism (EL-siblings). METHODS: ADOS-2 assessments were conducted at 14, 24 and 36 months, with Clinical Best Estimate (CBE) autism diagnoses determined at 36 months. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that while some children have stable ADOS-2 classifications from early on, a significant proportion of the children show inconsistent classifications over time. The overall stability of ADOS-2 autism spectrum classifications increased from 14 to 36 months and agreement with CBE autism clinical diagnosis was moderate and increased with age. CONCLUSIONS: Caution is warranted when interpreting individual ADOS-2 results, as they should always complement, and can never replace, a comprehensive clinical evaluation. These findings highlight the importance of continued follow-up beyond 14 months in young EL-children, a group for whom early assessment may be both feasible and beneficial and emphasises the need to integrate multiple assessment measures and multiple informants for accurate early autism identification.
DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.70078
Institutions: Ghent University, University of London, Birkbeck, University of London, Curtin University, Region Stockholm, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm Health Care Services, Radboud University Nijmegen, Radboud University Medical Center, Karakter, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, King's College London, Uppsala University, Donders Centre for Cognition, University of Cambridge, Utrecht University
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,530
Funders: Autism Speaks, European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative, Marguerite-Marie Delacroix foundation, Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Universiteit Gent, Servier, Vlaamse regering, Seventh Framework Programme, Medical Research Council, Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds UGent
Awards: G236063110, G4345436876, G4612562667, G4668817743, G5543596241, G5706255847, G60524263, The Development of Social, Attention, and Perception Abilities in Typical and At-risk Infants, G63770550, G7070717597, Human neurocognitive development: Early-stage processing, modifiers, and outcomes, Trajectories and outcomes of developmental regression and motor stereotypies in children and adolescents with or at elevated likelihood for autism., G8864298512
OpenAlex ID: W4416292729