How does the MIGDAS differ from other autism tests?
Unlike other tests for identifying forms of autism, the MIGDAS is an interview process that teaches evaluators to follow the agenda of the child to explore that child’s sensory-driven worldview as the child plays with toys and discusses preferred topics with a group of adults. It is a method that involves dynamic interaction between the evaluators and the child. The sensory toys and topics used will vary depending on the individual child’s particular interests. With the MIGDAS, the evaluators gather systematic, descriptive information about the child in three key areas: language and communication, social relationships and emotional responses, and sensory use and interests. The descriptive profile of the child’s behavior can be compared to the behaviors typically seen in children who do and who do not have autism spectrum disorders. The MIGDAS interview protocol does not provide a score or a standardized set of numbers. Most tests require the child to conform to the agenda of the evalua
