Autism Diagnostic Services
The diagnostic assessments offered at The Lauriston Centre are based on several standardised diagnostic protocols designed to identify individuals with autism. These include the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)- 2 which comprises direct observations of the child or adult and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), which is an in depth interview with parents to cover the full developmental history of the individual. The ADI-R might not be required if a diagnosis can be reached using the ADOS-2.
We also use a series of complementary questionnaires, Vineland, GARS-2, SRS-2 and SCQ which are described below. These alone are not sufficient to reach a diagnosis but offer very detailed qualitative and quantitative information on the social, communication and behavioural difficulties experienced by the person. These assessments are generally sufficiently informative to give us a good indication on whether the child has autism or not and allow us to compile a detailed report to request the NHS to carry out a full diagnostic assessment. Oftentime, that is all that is needed to progress a person on a diagnosis pathway.
More about the diagnostic tools
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition (Vineland)
Assesses daily living skills in Communication, Daily Living, Socialisation, and Motor Skills through parent/caregiver and teacher reports. Standardised scores aid in diagnosing various developmental disorders and tracking progress over time.Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ)
A 40-item tool derived from the ADI-R, offering lifetime and current (3-month) behavior assessments. Effective in distinguishing ASD from non-ASD across all IQ levels. A lifetime score of 15 suggests possible ASD, while scores around 10-11 indicate the need for further evaluation.Social Responsiveness Scale -2 (SRS-2)
Identifies and quantifies social impairments related to ASD, with a total severity score and subscales for Social Awareness, Cognition, Communication, Motivation, and Restricted Interests/Repetitive Behaviors. Useful for differential diagnosis and informing intervention strategies.GARS 2 (Gillian Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition)
A norm-referenced screening tool that provides a multidimensional assessment of autistic traits. Sensitive to changes over time, it helps monitor progress and identify areas needing improvement.ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule)
A semi-structured, standardised assessment for diagnosing ASD, evaluating communication, social interaction, play, and imaginative use of materials. Consists of four modules tailored to the individual's age and communication level, involving detailed observation of behaviors.ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised)
A structured interview used for diagnosing ASD, focusing on Language and Communication, Reciprocal Social Interactions, and Restricted/Repetitive Behaviors. Covers comprehensive background information and specific behaviors to differentiate autism from other developmental disorders.