Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R)

Purpose: To assess individuals suspected of having autism – Useful for diagnosing autism, planning treatment, and distinguishing autism from other developmental disorders 
Age: 2+ years of age
Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

The Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R) is a comprehensive interview that provides a thorough assessment of individuals suspected of having autism or other autism spectrum disorders. The ADI-R has proven highly useful for formal diagnosis as well as treatment and educational planning.

To administer the ADI-R, an experienced clinical interviewer questions a parent or caretaker who is familiar with the developmental history and current behaviour of the individual being evaluated. The interview can be used to assess both children and adults, as long as their mental age is above 2 years.

ADI-R results can be scored and interpreted using a single convenient form. The ADI-R Comprehensive Algorithm Form allows clinicians to calculate and interpret any one of five age-specific ADI-R algorithms (two Diagnostic Algorithms that are based on developmental history and are used for formal diagnosis, and three Current Behavior Algorithms that focus on present functioning and are used for treatment and educational planning). The algorithms themselves have not changed; the revised form simply replaces the five forms previously needed to calculate the algorithms.

Because the ADI-R is an interview rather than a test, and because it focuses on behaviors that are rare in unaffected individuals, it provides categorical results rather than scales or norms. Results can be used to support a diagnosis of autism or to determine the clinical needs of various groups in which a high rate of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) might be expected (e.g., individuals with severe language impairments or certain medical conditions, children with congenital blindness).

The ADI-R has proven very effective in differentiating autism from other developmental disorders and in assessing syndrome boundaries, identifying new subgroups, and quantifying autistic symptomatology. Extensi

Administration and coding of the ADI-R are highly standardized, and valid assessment requires training. The ADI-R Training Program allows clinicians to learn administration procedures and to practice accurate coding.

The ADI-R Training Program consists of videos (with a total running time of 16 hours) that show expert interviewers as they administer the ADI-R to parents. Support materials for use with the videos include a Training Guidebook that discusses each case featured on the videos and that clarifies coding and scoring decisions.

The following print materials, sold separately, are also required for ADI-R Training: the ADI-R Interview Booklet and the ADI-R Comprehensive Algorithm Form. For convenience, a combined set of these printed forms for use with the program materials is available through ACER (item 604ADI).

It is strongly recommended that all users obtain training before administering the ADI-R.