The AMSE is an 8-item observational assessment that structures the way clinicians observe and document social, communicative and behavioral functioning in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The AMSE is intended to take place seamlessly in the context of a clinical exam and does not add extra work. Each individual item is scored 0, 1, or 2 and the AMSE yields a total score of 0 to 14. Initial validation data published in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders indicates that a cutoff of ≥ 5 predicts ASD classification on the ADOS* with a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 81% in an unstratified high risk population. CLICK HERE to see the abstract. Recently published test performance data using DSM-5 criteria for ASD in adults indicates strong psychometric properties (Sensitivity: 91%, Specificity: 93%). See the second JADD article HERE. Multisite validation in pediatric populations is currently underway.
*The ADOS is the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. It is the current gold standard observational assessment tool used in research and academic settings to help diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder.
