New MIGDAS-2 Helps Diagnose Autism Without Labels
Now with a broader focus on the full autism spectrum
TORRANCE, CA - 01/30/2018 /EASY NEWSWIRE/ — WPS today announced the release of the Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum, Second Edition (MIGDAS-2) for evaluating children, adolescents, and adults.
This revised version of the widely used MIGDAS is all about having conversations that describe the individual’s unique autism spectrum profile, rather than assigning a number or label. A person’s behavior is considered from the perspective of differences rather than deficits, resulting in a more comprehensive assessment that informs diagnosis and treatment planning.
Using everyday language, the MIGDAS-2 augments quantitative scores and provides a better understanding of an individual’s communication, social, emotional, and sensory functioning. The MIGDAS-2 includes structured questionnaires for parents/caregivers and teachers, and materials are designed to help evaluators discuss the diagnostic outcome with them.
In addition, sensory materials and discussions of the individual’s preferred topics result in comprehensive qualitative information clinicians use to build a narrative across three areas – Language and Communication, Social Relationships and Emotional Responses, and Sensory Use and Interests.
“Dr. Monteiro has created a structured system that includes a visual, charted overview of behaviors that are generally considered neurotypical, as well as behaviors that would be commonly observed with children exhibiting characteristics of an autism spectrum disorder,” said Elissa Stover Doigg, MS, a licensed specialist in school psychology. “This allows evaluation team members to have meaningful discussions about their observations and a nice framework for analyzing the behavioral observations in a meaningful way.”
The MIGDAS-2 is the latest assessment tool published by WPS, the industry leader for autism evaluations, which include the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS®-2), Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition (CARS™2), the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI®-R), and the Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition (SRS™-2).
“We are very excited about the opportunity to expand upon an already great product and help clinicians better serve their patients,” said WPS CEO and President Jeff Manson. “We believe the MIGDAS-2 does just that. We’re continually committed to the quality of our assessments and to our customers’ experience in using those assessments.”
About WPS
An independent, family-run business since 1948, WPS publishes psychological and educational assessments that practitioners trust. Our products, which include the world’s leading test for autism, allow helping professionals to more accurately screen, diagnose, and treat people in need.
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