How to Prepare for Autism ADI‑R?

PostedNovember 12, 2025

UpdatedNovember 27, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

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

If you’ve been invited to take part in an autism ADI-R assessment, knowing what to expect can make the experience more comfortable. Preparing for ADI-R involves gathering clear developmental information and being ready to reflect on early behaviours. The ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised) is a structured interview typically conducted with a parent or caregiver.

What to Expect When Preparing for ADI-R

Here are a few helpful tips for preparing for ADI-R:

Parent Interview

The ADI-R is a detailed parent interview that focuses on your child’s early development, language milestones and social behaviours. You won’t need to bring any documents, but it can help you to think about key moments in your child’s history, such as when they first spoke or how they interacted with others as toddlers.

Developmental History

A strong developmental history is central to the ADI-R. The clinician may ask about the child’s behaviour from as early as 18 months. If available, bring along any baby books, health visitor notes or school reports to help you recall relevant details.

Diagnostic Preparation

Unlike behavioural assessments, the ADI-R is conversational and relies on your memory and insight. As part of your diagnostic preparation, try to be as open and honest as possible, even if you’re unsure whether a behaviour is “typical” or not. Your reflections help the clinician understand patterns over time.

In short, preparing for ADI-R is about remembering early experiences and sharing them with clarity. For guided support and professional assessments, visit providers like Autism Detect for consultations.

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

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.