Comprehensive Autism Testing With The ADOS 2

Play-Based Wellness offers the gold standard, Play-Based autism testing for young children in Allen, Texas. Our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) uses the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS 2) together with caregiver interviews and rating scales to give your child’s pediatrician a clear picture of your child’s development and possible autism symptoms.

What is the ADOS 2?

The ADOS-2 is a standardized, Play-Based assessment that helps evaluate a child for possible autism spectrum disorder. During the visit, the clinician sits on the floor, plays, and invites your child into simple activities while watching how they communicate, play, and connect with others. The ADOS-2 does not provide an official diagnosis on its own. Instead, it is one key piece of information that your pediatrician or medical provider uses when making the final diagnostic decision.

Who Is The Evaluation For?

We provide ADOS-2-based autism evaluations for toddlers and young children who


• Are between 18 months and 6 years old
• Have social communication differences, limited language, or repetitive behaviors
• Have a pediatrician, psychologist, or therapist who has recommended an autism evaluation
If you are unsure whether your child is a good fit, our team can help you decide the right next step.

Start now!

What the ADOS-2 Measures

During the ADOS-2, the clinician observes how your child:

• Uses eye contact, gestures, and facial expressions
• Shares enjoyment and seeks out others during play
• Uses language and nonverbal communication in social situations
• Plays with toys and uses imagination
• Shows repetitive behaviors, routines, or powerful interests

These behaviors are scored using research based algorithms that compare your child’s pattern of behavior to children who have autism. The pattern of scores helps the pediatrician understand how closely your child’s profile matches an autism presentation.


What Is Included In Our Autsim Testing Package

Your child’s testing appointment is more than one short visit. It is a complete evaluation package that includes


• ADOS 2 direct, play-based assessment in our clinic with caregivers present
• Structured caregiver diagnostic interview with a BCBA
• Vineland 3 adaptive behavior interview
• SRS 2 social communication rating scale
• BASC-3 behavior and emotional rating scales when appropriate

Why Familes Choose Us!

• Play-based, child-friendly setting that feels more like a preschool than a medical office
• Testing completed by a BCBA who is formally trained in ADOS 2 administration and scoring
• Strong focus on helping parents understand results in clear, non-judgmental language
• Close collaboration with pediatricians, psychologists, and other providers
• Immediate guidance about practical next steps, whether or not your child ultimately receives an autism diagnosis

How The Process Works

Step 1: Parent Interview By Video

You meet with our BCBA for a one-hour video visit to review your child’s developmental history, strengths, and current concerns. After the interview, the clinician sends secure electronic questionnaires, such as the Vineland-3, SRS-2, and BASC-3, for parents and, sometimes, teachers to complete.

Step 2: Play-Based ADOS 2 Session In The Clinic

You and your child come to our Allen clinic for the ADOS-2 appointment. The visit usually lasts 40 to 60 minutes. Your child plays with the clinician using toys, pretend play, and social games that match their age and language level. Caregivers remain in the room to help children feel safe, while the BCBA leads the interaction and observes key social communication behaviors.

Step 3: Scoring, Interpretation, and Written Report

After your visit, the BCBA scores the ADOS-2 and integrates results from all rating scales and interviews. This scoring and interpretation time, combined with your visits, totals about five hours of clinician time. A clear written report is created that summarizes results in parent-friendly language for you and in clinical language for your pediatrician.

Step 4: Feedback Visit And Next Steps

About 1 week after the direct assessment, you meet again with the BCBA via video to review results, ask questions, and discuss recommended next steps. With your consent, the full report and ADOS-2 scores are sent directly to your child’s pediatrician or specialist so they can complete the formal diagnostic process and make treatment recommendations, such as ABA therapy, speech therapy, or school-based services.


FAQs

  • No! The ADOS 2 is a powerful tool that helps show whether your child’s behaviors are consistent with autism, but it does not give the official diagnosis on its own. Your child’s pediatrician or diagnosing provider reviews ADOS 2 results together with history, rating scales, and other information to make the final diagnosis.

  • At Play Based Wellness, ADOS 2 testing is a cash pay service. The total cost is $499.

  • Keeping ADOS 2 testing as a flat rate service allows us to schedule families quickly, spend the full time needed on scoring and report writing, and partner directly with your pediatrician without waiting on authorizations.

  • Most families complete the interview, clinic visit, scoring, and feedback appointment within about two weeks, depending on how quickly questionnaires are returned and the feedback visit can be scheduled.