Autism tests › MIGDAS-2
MIGDAS-2: the instrument that outputs words instead of numbers
Every other tool in this section ends in a score compared against a cutoff. The Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum ends in a description — a structured narrative of how a particular person experiences the sensory and social world. That difference is the entire point.
| Type | Qualitative, sensory-based interview framework used within a diagnostic evaluation |
|---|---|
| Age range | 3 years through adulthood |
| Components | Three: a parent/caregiver interview, a teacher or informant questionnaire, and a direct interview and observation with the person themselves |
| Output | A structured narrative description organized by sensory and social themes — no cutoff score |
| Origin | Marilyn J. Monteiro; published by WPS. Second edition aligned to DSM-5 |
How the conversation is built
The direct interview is designed around the person's own sensory preferences and interests: materials they find engaging, topics they care about, an environment adjusted rather than standardized. Instead of presenting a fixed set of social presses and coding responses, the clinician follows a guided structure that draws out how this person processes sensory input, uses language, relates to others, and organizes their interests — in their own terms.
The result feeds directly into the report as language a clinician can use: not "scored above cutoff on module 3," but a description of a person that a school, a therapist, or the person themselves can actually work with.
Why it is increasingly chosen for late-identified people. Standardized observation has a known weak spot: someone who has spent years learning to perform typical social behavior can hold that performance together for an hour of structured tasks. MIGDAS-2 asks a different kind of question — about internal experience, sensory life, and the effort connection costs — which is harder to mask through. That is why it comes up so often for autistic girls, for adults, and for anyone whose presentation doesn't match the textbook picture. See also autism assessment in adults.
What it does not do
MIGDAS-2 is not a standalone diagnostic test and does not produce a probability or a severity rating. It is a framework for gathering high-quality qualitative evidence, which a clinician then weighs against the DSM-5-TR or ICD-11 criteria alongside the rest of the evaluation. In most settings it complements standardized instruments such as the ADOS-2 rather than replacing them — and where an insurer or a school district demands a norm-referenced number, it will not satisfy that demand on its own.
If you are choosing an evaluator and your child is verbally fluent, socially camouflaging, or has already been told "she makes eye contact, it can't be autism," it is worth asking directly whether they use MIGDAS-2 or a comparably qualitative approach. It is one of the more useful questions you can ask when booking.
Medical disclaimer: Educational information only. MIGDAS-2 is a published instrument of its author and publisher; no content is reproduced here. This page cannot diagnose anyone; consult a qualified clinician.