ADOS-2 Online Training for the Clinical Setting

The ADOS-2 is a semi-structured observational assessment of social communication and behaviour that is used as part of an autism diagnostic assessment. This updated course provides instruction to health professionals in the use of the ADOS-2 in the clinical context. The course was developed as an alternative to the ADOS-2 in person course which we have run in TCD for many years.

This course is comprised of: 

1. Pre-course preparation (5 hours self-directed learning) 
2. Live online course instruction (2 x 6 hours online live workshops on consecutive days) 
3. Post-course assessment (5 hours online assignment) 

ADOS-2 Toddler Module will be available as a post-course optional online learning module. The access to this Module will be granted after successfully completed training in Modules 1-4 and post-course assignment that assesses their reliability.

This course will present the same learning materials that we present through our in-person courses. Typically, the course is a mix of didactic teaching, practice sessions and discussions. 

Pre-course preparation (5 hours self-directed learning):

Prior to the course, you will be required to complete a survey regarding your knowledge of autism, view recorded lecture material with accompanying transcripts and complete several quizzes on the recorded lecture material. The pre-recorded material provides an introduction to aspects of autism that are relevant to autism diagnostic assessment, the theoretical basis of the ADOS and an introduction to administration and coding. The precourse material includes a newly extended explanation of the protocol booklets and module coding to introduce the concepts well before putting them into practice during the course.

Live online course instruction (2 x 6 hours online live workshops on consecutive days):

The live online component of the course will focus in detail on the administration of the ADOS tasks and coding of ADOS assessments. These are demonstrated through explanations and video examples. Additionally, participant understanding will be assessed through observation of administration and discussion in small groups and through the online chat. During the course participants will view two ADOS videos and this will be followed with a detailed discussion of the coding. Finally, we will also discuss some of the challenges with assessing autism using ADOS-2 when social distancing is required. The live component will be facilitated by Prof. Louise Gallagher aided by course instructors, Dr. Ciara Molloy and Ms. Sarah Feighan who will help to facilitate group discussions. 

Post-course assessment (5 hours online assignment):

Following the live online component participant will be evaluated for their understanding of ADOS-2 administration, practice, coding and clinical use. This will involve viewing and coding a recorded ADOS assessment and some short-written reflections on the use of ADOS-2 in clinical practice. Participants will have up to a month to complete the post-course assignment. The ADOS-2 coding may be attempted twice. Once the assignment is completed to a satisfactory level, participants will be provided with a certificate of course completion. 

Who is this course designed for? 

This course is designed for health care professionals who will be conducting autism assessments on a regular basis. Accredited psychologists, physicians (e.g. psychiatrists, paediatricians, neurologists), speech and language therapists and occupational therapists may take the course. We strongly recommend that you have access to an ADOS kit and manual prior to taking the course so that you can familiarise yourself with the course materials.

It is expected that participants: 

• are knowledgeable about development and behaviour  
• are familiar with typical and atypical development 
• understand how development and behaviour changes over the lifespan 
• can differentiate between autism behaviours and symptoms of mental health disorders. 

ADOS-2 online training has been approved for 15 CDP credits by the College of Psychiatry of Ireland.

The course trainer is Prof Louise Gallagher, Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Trinity College Dublin. She is an Autism Researcher and also a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in the Irish Health Service. Louise is an accredited International ADOS and ADI-R trainer and has been running professional ADOS-2 training courses for over 15 years.

The training start to finish will take approximately 3-4 weeks. The course fee is €500, including all course materials (including pre-course preparation and post-course assessment, as well as protocols for use during the workshop).

We are NOT running the ADOS-2 Training now. If you want to be informed about our future courses, please email us at ados.training@tcd.ie