Older Sibling Assessments: BEHAVIORAL & DEVELOPMENTAL

In order to maintain diagnostic validity, we ask parents of enrollees with an older sibling with an ASD diagnosis to bring in the older sibling for testing with us. These assessments require 2 hours of testing with the sibling, and 2 hours of testing with the parent(s). Details of these assessments are outlined below.

We also ask parents to provide us with copies of any developmental or diagnostic reports for the child in question. These documents, as seen in context with the results from the child's testing with us, are invaluable in helping us discern the most appropriate research diagnosis for the child. The research diagnosis of the older sibling, in turn, determines how the data from the baby sibling will be interpreted.

Mullen Scales of Early Learning/Differential Abilities Scales (DAS): The Mullen is a standardized measure of developmental age in the areas of gross motor and fine motor skills, visual reception, receptive language and expressive language. During this assessment, you will sit nearby as your child sits at a table with a research assistant. The researcher will present a variety of tasks to your child, demonstrate each, and then observe your child's response. Many tasks involve your child's idenifying pictures verbally or by pointing. The DAS is a similar measure that is tailored for children over three years old.

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS): The ADOS is a play-based assessment that allows us to observe social and communication behaviors related to the diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorders. You and your child will be accompanied in a playroom by a research assistant, who will make various toys available to your child and encourage pretend play while observing your child's response and actions. This assessment is routinely videotaped to ensure accurate coding.

Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R): The ADI-R is a standardized interview conducted with the parent(s) during which the child's development is discussed in detail. Taken with the child's score on the ADOS, the scores resulting from the ADI-R determine the child's research diagnosis for the purposes of the study.

Visits Requested: 2; 1 for the Mullen/DAS and ADOS (2 hours), and 1 for the ADI-R (2 hours)
Location: The Infant Vision Lab at UCSD, La Jolla (McGill Hall, 3rd Floor)