ADOS-C: A new outcome measure for autism intervention studies

Outcome measures for intervention studies for children with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) are currently limited. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – Change (ADOS-C; Lord, Carr, Grzadzinski, Morton, & Colombi, 2013) is a detailed observation of social behaviours coded from a videoed interaction between parent and child. We explore the ADOS-C as a possible candidate measure and how it relates to the ADOS and measures of general ability and language which have also been used as outcomes. Thirty-three children (age range=25-71 months) were administered the Mullen Scales of Early Learning, the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory, the ADOS, and the ADOS-C. All met criteria for autism on the ADOS. We will report correlational analyses between the ADOS-C total and the following scores: ADOS calibrated severity algorithm totals for Social Affect and Restricted, Repetitive Behaviours, Mullen visual reception and fine motor raw scores, and MCDI words produced raw score. To determine whether ADOS-C scores are independent of IQ and language, the sample will be split into 2 groups: Nonverbal and verbal children with low and high Mullen scores, respectively. We will explore how ADOS-C scores relate to ADOS severity scores in each group. We will also include a more detailed exploration of how individual ADOS-C and ADOS items map onto each other. Initial analysis of a subsample (n=14) reveals a positive correlation between ADOS-C total and ADOS RRB total (rs=.55, p<.05). The ADOS-C total also correlates negatively with MCDI words produced and Mullen visual reception (both rs=-.55, p<.05). We will discuss the potential of the ADOS-C as a valid outcome measure for use in intervention research, in particular its independence from measures of general functioning. We will further consider pragmatic aspects such as ease of scoring and administration.