Autism and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS): A critical review

There is a dearth of literature questioning the foundational assumptions that construct Autism and Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Rates of ASD diagnoses have expanded enormously in recent decades, penetrating everyday mainstream clinical practice and culture as if it is a known objective â??thingâ?? â?? a lifelong â??neurodevelopmentalâ?? condition rendered visible by scientific progress. It is assumed to be a condition that afflicts individuals who can be identified and categorised through the use of â??objectiveâ?? procedures applied by trained experts and that function like tests. This article critically examines these foundational assumptions including, after attending an ADOS training course, the basis on which one such â??objectiveâ?? â??testâ?? â?? the ADOS â?? is constructed. I conclude that both ASD and the ADOS have basic flaws and little empirical scientific basis./