ADOS Trainings
At the Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment, we are proud to offer Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2) clinical and research trainings. Led by independent trainers, these trainings provide valuable insights and expertise in the administration of the ADOS-2.
Prerequisites:
Bachelor’s degree or higher and relevant work experience and current occupational role. Trainees will be notified if it is determined that these prerequisites are not met.
Description:
This is a 2-day clinical training on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd Edition (ADOS-2). This is an introductory workshop with instructional methods that include lectures, videos, demonstrations of administration and scoring, and discussions. This workshop is designed for researchers, clinicians, and educators with prior background in autism spectrum disorder and formal testing, such as speech-language pathologists, physicians, psychologists, school-based autism specialists, and occupational therapists. This training is necessary for anyone planning to use the ADOS-2 in clinical or school settings and serves as a pre-requisite for more thorough training required to obtain research reliability to use the ADOS-2 for research purposes.
The goals of this 2-day workshop are to provide a detailed overview of the ADOS-2, its development, its psychometric properties, and appropriate use and interpretation. Full-length demonstrations of the measure are provided each day. Participants will practice scoring while observing the administration with the support of an experienced independent ADOS-2 trainer. Detailed discussions on scoring the ADOS-2 follow each demonstration. Additional examples from video may also be shown and discussed.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this training, participants should be able to:
- Identify the key features of the ADOS-2 approach, including the rationale for the approach and how it enhances autism assessment.
- Identify administration procedures for the ADOS-2 Modules 1-4.
- Describe use of the ADOS-2 for operationalizing diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorders as learned through didactic and in-vivo/video demonstrations.
- Explain how to select the most appropriate ADOS-2 module based on an individual’s verbal language level and chronological age.
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of how to apply ADOS-2 codes, score and interpret ADOS-2 Module 1-4 algorithms to determine ADOS-2 classification, and interpret severity scores for level of autism spectrum-related symptoms.
- Describe the psychometric support for the ADOS-2 (i.e., sensitivity and specificity).
- Explain issues in the clinical application of the ADOS-2, utilization of the ADOS-2 Modules 1-4 results for clinical purposes, and challenges in assessment of autism spectrum disorder.
Fee:
$500 registration fee
15 hours of APA CEs may be available for an additional fee of $100
Professional groups of 5 or more individuals will receive a 10% discount; enter code ADOS2 at checkout to apply the discount
ADOS-2 Introductory Clinical Training (Modules 1-4)
Interested in setting up Introductory Clinical ADOS-2 training at your site? Please contact our ADOS-2 trainer for additional information.
Prerequisites:
Bachelor’s degree or higher and relevant work experience and current occupational role. Must complete training in Modules 1-4 prior to training (may be the same training week). Trainees will be notified if it is determined that these prerequisites are not met.
Description:
This is a half-day introductory workshop specific to the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd Edition (ADOS-2) Toddler Module with instructional methods that include lectures, videos, practice with scoring, and discussions. This workshop is designed for clinicians, researchers, and educators with prior background in autism spectrum disorder and formal testing, such as speech-language pathologists, physicians, psychologists, special education autism specialists, and occupational therapists. All trainees are expected to have completed formal training on Modules 1-4 of the ADOS-2, either through the 2-day ADOS-2 Introductory Clinical Training or the ADOS-2 DVD Training Package available from WPS.
The ADOS-2 Toddler Module is a tool that can be used as part of a comprehensive assessment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children 12 to 30 months of age who are not yet speaking in phrases. This workshop uses lecture format and video demonstrations to introduce the basic principles of administration and scoring, providing an essential step toward competence in using the ADOS-2 for clinical and/or research purposes. Participants will gain experience in scoring the Toddler Module with the support of an experienced independent ADOS-2 trainer.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this training, participants should be able to:
- Describe administration procedures of ADOS-2 Toddler Module through didactic and in-vivo/video demonstrations.
- Explain how to select the most appropriate ADOS-2 module based on an individual’s verbal language level and chronological age.
- Discuss and practice coding the ADOS-2 Toddler Module.
- Describe the psychometric support for the ADOS-2 Toddler Module (i.e., sensitivity and specificity).
- Explain issues in the clinical application of the ADOS-2 Toddler Module, utilization of the ADOS-2 Toddler Module results for clinical purposes, and challenges in assessment of autism spectrum disorder in young children.
Fee:
$350 registration fee
4 hours of APA CEs may be available at no additional cost
ADOS-2 Toddler Module Training
Interested in setting up Introductory Clinical ADOS-2 and Toddler Module training at your site? Please contact our ADOS-2 trainer for additional information.
Prerequisites:
Bachelor’s degree or higher and relevant work experience and current occupational role. Must complete the ADOS-2 Introductory Clinical training in Modules 1-4 prior to training. Trainees will be notified if it is determined that these prerequisites are not met.
Prior to attending training, you will need to have access to an ADOS-2 manual and kit. ADOS-2 kits, manuals and protocols are available through Western Psychological Services at 1-800-648-8857 or at www.wpspublish.com.
Description:
This is a 2-day ADOS-2 Advanced/Research Training for specialists in ASD interested in establishing research reliability. This course provides the detailed, advanced training necessary 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. The goals of this workshop are to provide hands-on experience and feedback in administering the ADOS-2, detailed instruction and practice with coding, and information on appropriate use and interpretation in research. This advanced level workshop involves intensive instruction on the psychometrics of the instrument, working in small groups on administering and scoring the ADOS-2, 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. Participants will be given instructions on next steps for achieving research reliability.
Following the training, for the research reliability process, participants must demonstrate understanding and fidelity in administration and coding. This is achieved through scoring additional videos that will be provided to you and through submitting (at least) two post-course video recordings of yourself administering different ADOS-2 modules and respective scored protocols. The above fee includes one free ADOS-2 video submission toward research reliability.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this training, participants should be able to:
- Identify the key features of the ADOS-2 approach, including the rationale for the approach and how it enhances autism assessment across ages, developmental levels, and language skills.
- Identify appropriate administration procedures for the ADOS-2.
- Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of how to apply ADOS-2 codes, score and interpret ADOS-2 algorithms to determine ADOS-2 classification, and interpret severity scores for level of autism spectrum-related symptoms.
- Map ADOS-2 individual behavior codes to the DSM-5 criteria for autism spectrum disorder to assist in making a differential diagnosis.
- Describe the psychometrics supporting the ADOS-2 (i.e., sensitivity and specificity).
- Explain issues in the clinical application of the ADOS-2, utilization of the ADOS-2 results for clinical and/or research purposes, and challenges in assessment of autism spectrum disorder.
Fee:
$2,750 registration fee
APA continuing education credits included
ADOS-2 Advanced/Research Training
Interested in setting up Advanced/Research ADOS-2 training at your site? Please contact our ADOS-2 trainer for additional information.
Prerequisites:
Completion of ADOS-2 Introductory/Clinical Training on Modules 1 – 4 and relevant experience
Description:
After a hiatus, the mid-year Missouri statewide ADOS-2 calibration is back! This training is designed for individuals who have already completed the ADOS-2 Introductory/Clinical Training and/or ADOS-2 Advanced/Research Training, who are interested in further scoring practice and review. During this training, a full-length video recorded ADOS-2 administration will be viewed and the scoring of the administration will be discussed. There will also be an opportunity to review specific administration and scoring questions from participants.
Training Focus/Learning Objectives:
- 1. Describe standardized administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd Edition (ADOS-2)
- 2. Use ADOS-2 operationalized codes to explain protocol scoring and interpretation of algorithms, ADOS-2 classification, and calibrated severity scores for level of autism spectrum-related symptoms
- 3. Summarize clinical considerations and information for further use of the ADOS-2 in practice
APA CE’s are available. Four hours of CE credit are available for attendees who are present for the entire program. We ask that all participants return the post-program evaluation form at the conclusion of the program.
| Location | Date | Fee |
| Zoom | March 20, 2026 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | No cost to attend |
Registration information is coming soon!
Please return to this page later for more information.
Once you have completed your registration, a representative will reach out closer to the event with additional information.
For additional information, please contact: trainings@missouri.edu
The Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Instructor Credentials:
Dr. Joanna Mussey, Ph.D. ABPP, is a licensed psychologist and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment at the University of Missouri. She is a clinical psychologist with expertise in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Mussey is a certified independent trainer of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd Edition (ADOS-2).
There is no known commercial support for this program.
Dr. Joanna Mussey is a licensed psychologist and Assistant Professor, Professional Practice in the Department of Psychiatry at the Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment at the University of Missouri. She graduated magna cum laude with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Communication Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Alabama in 2012 and completed her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She completed a clinical post-doctoral fellowship and a research post-doctoral fellowship at the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine. She is a clinical psychologist with expertise in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. Dr. Mussey is an independent trainer on diagnostic measures for ASD, such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd Edition (ADOS-2).
Requests for refunds due to cancellation must be received in writing 21 days prior to training date. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after this date and no refunds will be issued for no-shows. Send all refund requests to trainings@missouri.edu.
The training will be held regardless of weather conditions and no refunds will be given due to inclement weather. We regret that we must adhere strictly to this policy.
The University of Missouri complies with guidelines set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). If you require any auxiliary aids or services, please let us know as soon as possible so we can ensure you have access to those services. A nursing parent room is available as well as access to a refrigerator and freezer.
The Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Please direct all questions about the Thompson Center’s ADOS trainings to trainings@missouri.edu.