December 3-5, 2025
Rachel Hundley, Associate Professor, Departments of Pediatrics, Psychology, and Psychiatry
Dr. Hundley is a certified ADOS trainer.
The ADOS-2 is the standard instrument for assessing autism spectrum disorders (ASD) across age, developmental level, and language skills. The course provides a necessary step in training for people who plan to use the ADOS-2 in research. It is also appropriate for clinicians who wish to achieve reliability with others using the measure.
This advanced level workshop involves intensive instruction on the psychometrics of the instrument, working in small groups on administering and scoring the ADOS, and discussion and question/answer about specific administration and coding issues. Participants will receive coaching of their own administration as well as additional practice with scoring. Following the course, participants must demonstrate understanding of correct administration and coding. This is achieved through scoring of additional videos that will be provided to you and through submitting two post-course video recordings of yourself administering different ADOS modules and respective scored protocols within three months of your training.
Target audience: Psychologists, pediatricians, behavioral specialists, speech-language pathologists, and research assistants will be accepted for the training. Other individuals who regularly assess children with ASD or developmental disabilities are encouraged to apply and their application will be reviewed.
Fee: $2,000 per person.
Learning objectives:
- Describe how the ADOS targets social communication characteristics of autism
- Describe how the ADOS targets restricted, repetitive behaviors in autism
- Select the correct ADOS model based on a participant's language level
- Describe the language level and age restrictions appropriate for the Toddler Module
- Describe the language level appropriate for Module 1
- Describe the language level appropriate for Module 2
- Describe the language level appropriate for Module 3
- Describe the language level and age recommendations appropriate for Module 4
- List 2 behaviors that would qualify as a social overture
- List 2 characteristics of a social response
- Describe the primary differences between a descriptive gesture and a conventional gesture
- Calculate the ADOS algorithm
- Calculate a child's comparison score, based upon their age and raw score
- List the steps of the birthday party for Module 1
- Describe the differences in materials for Make Believe Play for Module 2 versus Module 3
- List 2 things to say to a parent before beginning an ADOS in which they accompany their child (e.g., toddler, module 1 or module 2)
- Give examples of two types of tests that might accompany the ADOS in a comprehensive evaluation
- List the remaining two steps in achieving research reliability.
Schedule:
Wednesday, December 3
8:00–8:30: Registration/Breakfast
8:30-10:00: Introduction of Toddler Module and video review
10:00–10:30: Break
10:30-12:00: Small group practice
12:00-1:00: Lunch
1:00-2:30: Small group Administration/Scoring of Toddler Module to child with ASD
2:30-4:00: Discussion of codes
Thursday, December 4
8:00-8:30: Check-in/Breakfast
8:30–10:00: Large group discussion of questions from Toddler Module/Video Review of Modules 1-2
10:00–10:30: Break
10:30-12:00: Small Group Practice of Modules 1-2
12:00–1:00: Lunch
1:00-2:30: Small group administration/Scoring of Module 1-2 to child with ASD
2:30-4:00: Discussion of codes
Friday, December 5
8:00-8:30: Check-in/Breakfast
8:30-10:00: Large group discussion of questions from Modules 1-2/ Video Review of Modules 3-4
10:00-10:30: Break
10:30-12:00: Small Group Practice of Modules 3-4
12:00-1:00: Lunch
1:00-2:30: Small group administration/Scoring of Module 3-4 to child with ASD
2:30-3:30: Discussion of codes
3:30-4:00: Break
4:00-5:00: Discussion and wrap-up
Continuing Education Approval
Vanderbilt University Medical Center is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Vanderbilt University Medical Center maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Credit Designation
This activity is designated to award 18.00 CE credit(s).
Americans with Disabilities Act
It is the policy of Vanderbilt University Medical Center not to discriminate against any person on the basis of disabilities. If you feel you need services or auxiliary aids mentioned in the Americans with Disabilities Act in order to fully participate in this continuing education activity, please contact the Office for Continuous Professional Development (OCPD) to request assistance.
Commercial Support
This activity received no commercial support.
Financial Disclosures
VUMC CE activities are compliant with the Standards for Integrity and Independence in accredited continuing education. Any individual in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including but not limited to planners and faculty, are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations. All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated before this activity started.
Contact
For more information, contact Ella Kielmeyer at ella.kielmeyer@vumc.org or (615) 936-8606.