Abstract
This study investigated ways children with autism spectrum disorder respond to questions about emotions on the ADOS-II (Autism Diagnostic and Observation Schedule). Specifically, Stickle et al. examined the children’s I don’t know (IDK) utterances as responsive to these questions, questions designed to tap into the children’s capacity for abstract thinking. Findings revealed that the children’s use of IDK was not haphazard but rather revealed four distinct interactional patterns. Stickle et al. also documented clinicians’ formulations of questions that seem to create difficulty for children to respond to and clinicians’ practice that works to encourage the production of valid responses from children. Overall, this research broadens our understanding of the abilities of children given the diagnosis of autism that lies outside of what is officially being tested.
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Recommended Reading
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Appendix: “What About/How About” Question Formulation and Responses
Appendix: “What About/How About” Question Formulation and Responses
When a two-part question is administered (n = 10), 8 responses are valid (80%).
When a one-part “What about/How about” question (n = 4) is administered, all 4 responses are non-valid.
Fear ADOS (2-part question): What about things that you’re afraid of? What makes you feel frightened or anxious? RESPONSE 1) What about things you’re afraid of? What makes you feel frightened or anxious? (valid) 2) What about things you’re afraid of? (IDK) 3) And what about things you’re afraid of? (IDK) 4) And what about things that you’re afraid of? Kinds of things that make you feel afraid. valid) 5) How about things that you’re afraid of? Is there anything that you’re afraid of? (valid) 6) What things are you afraid of? (valid) Anger ADOS (2-part question): What about feeling angry? What kinds of things make you feel that way? RESPONSE 7) What about feeling mad or angry? What kinds of things make you feel that way? (IDK) 8) What about feeling angry? What kinds of things make you angry? (valid) 9) Now, what about feeling angry? What kind of things make you angry? (valid) 10) What about feeling angry? (No Response) 11) What about angry? Do you know what things make you angry? (valid) 12) We all get angry from time to time. What kinds of things make you angry? (valid) Relaxed ADOS (2-part question) How about feeling relaxed or content? What kinds of things make you feel that way? RESPONSE 13) How about feeling like relaxed or content? (No Response) 14) What about feeling relaxed or content? What kinds of things make you feel that way? (valid) 15) What about feeling relaxed or content? What kinds of things make you feel that way? (valid) 16) What ’bout feeling relaxed? What kinds of things make you feel relaxed? (IDK)
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Stickle, T., Duck, W., Maynard, D.W. (2017). Children’s Use of “I Don’t Know” During Clinical Evaluations for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Responses to Emotion Questions. In: O'Reilly, M., Lester, J., Muskett, T. (eds) A Practical Guide to Social Interaction Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. The Language of Mental Health. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-59236-1_10
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