Do Autism ADOS-2 Results Have False Positives?

PostedNovember 11, 2025

UpdatedNovember 11, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Lucia Alvarez, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Yes, ADOS-2 false positives can occur, though they are relatively uncommon. False positives in ADOS-2 mean that a child is incorrectly identified as having autism when they do not. While ADOS-2 is a highly reliable diagnostic tool, no test is completely free from the potential of misdiagnosis risk. Understanding this limitation is crucial for clinicians when interpreting results and making informed decisions about further assessments or interventions.

Why False Positives Can Happen in ADOS-2

Here’s how ADOS-2 false positives can arise:

Misdiagnosis Risk:

Although the ADOS-2 is designed to observe social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviours, it is not foolproof. Children with other developmental or behavioural conditions, such as anxiety or language delays, may exhibit some of the same behaviours seen in autism, leading to a potential misdiagnosis risk. In these cases, ADOS-2 may falsely indicate autism even if the child does not meet all the diagnostic criteria.

Overdiagnosis:

There is a possibility of overdiagnosis when ADOS-2 is used in isolation without considering other assessments or factors. This is because some behaviours identified by the ADOS-2 might overlap with typical developmental variations or other disorders, leading to an inaccurate conclusion of autism.

Diagnostic Limitation:

ADOS-2 is a highly effective diagnostic tool but does have some diagnostic limitations. For example, it may not capture more subtle or atypical forms of autism, or it may struggle to distinguish between autism and other conditions that present with similar behavioural signs. To minimise false positives, ADOS-2 should be used in conjunction with other diagnostic assessments and a comprehensive evaluation of the child’s history.

For further information on ADOS-2 false positives and how to interpret autism diagnostic results, visit providers like Autism Detect, who can help guide you through the diagnostic process.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Autism Diagnostic Tools (e.g., ADOS-2, ADI-R).

Lucia Alvarez, MSc

Author

Lucia Alvarez is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and extensive experience providing evidence-based therapy and psychological assessment to children, adolescents, and adults. Skilled in CBT, DBT, and other therapeutic interventions, she has worked in hospital, community, and residential care settings. Her expertise includes grief counseling, anxiety management, and resilience-building, with a strong focus on creating safe, supportive environments to improve mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.