First Advisor

Hulac, David

Document Type

Dissertation

Date Created

8-2020

Abstract

Luallin, Stephanie Susanne. Predictors of Standardized Administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition Across Treatment Settings. Published Doctor of Philosophy dissertation, University of Northern Colorado, 2020. The present study explored patterns of use of the ADOS-2 across treatment settings. With an increase in prevalence rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), there is a greater need for clinicians across many settings to offer ASD assessment. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) is a standardized assessment tool that, when administered with fidelity, has high specificity and sensitivity in research settings and is therefore recommended for use in comprehensive ASD evaluations. However, practitioners do not always follow the protocol recommended by assessment developers and research focused on adaptation and accuracy of the ADOS-2 in non-research, community settings have demonstrated improper use and patterns of varying reliability. Participants included 268 community practitioners working in schools, non-ASD specialty clinics, and ASD specialty clinics involved in ASD assessment who reported their use of the ADOS-2 as well as the extent of their ADOS-2 specific training. Participant characteristics were compared with standardized administration of the ADOS- 2. Results revealed that practitioner work setting was a significant predictor of ADOS-2 use. Additionally, those working in clinic settings received a higher level of training on the ADOS-2 compared to school-based evaluators. Neither setting nor level of ADOS-2 training impacted administration standardization of the measure. Implications for school based evaluators are discussed. Specifically, there may be barriers to ADOS-2 use and ADOS-2 specific training for school-based evaluators involved in ASD evaluations. Lastly, limitations of the current study and implications for future research are considered.

Extent

182 pages

Local Identifiers

Luallin_unco_0161D_10873.pdf

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

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