Identifying Autism: What You Need to Know

Standardized assessment tools play a significant role in the diagnostic process. These tools are designed to provide a structured and systematic way of evaluating the core features of autism. They often involve a combination of interviews with parents or caregivers and direct interaction with the individual. Some commonly used assessment tools include the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). These tools help clinicians to gather consistent and reliable information, which can then be used to make a diagnosis based on established criteria.