School-based evaluation personnel increasingly face the challenge of recognizing the full range of autism spectrum differences and engaging students in productive diagnostic interviews. Participants in this Region 4 ESC professional development workshop will learn to engage children and adolescents in sensory-based interviews using the Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum, Second Edition (MIGDAS-2) diagnostic interview system to obtain meaningful and distinctive qualitative communication samples to better identify the autism spectrum language profile. The session will highlight the use of the MIGDAS-2 visual framework and strength-based descriptive language to individualize the diagnosis of autism spectrum differences across age and ability levels in the school setting. Integrating the use of this qualitative set of protocols with autism-specific standardized behavior measures will be discussed, along with outlining how the MIGDAS-2 strength-based process aligns with the IDEA special education eligibility guidelines for Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Learning Objectives: As a result of this session, participants will gain proficiency in:
1. Structuring the sensory-based diagnostic interview using the Descriptive Triangle positive language.
2. Discussing the diagnosis with parents and teachers.
3. Linking the student’s behavioral profile to positive behavior supports.
4. Creating accessible, individualized narratives as part of the student’s eligibility report.
Please note: This professional development workshop is a live event and will not be recorded.