AMSE

Instructions (Eng)

OVERVIEW

The AMSE comprises 8 items and each item yields a score of 0, 1, or 2.

The first three items are for social skills. They must be based on your observation during the exam. The remaining items can be based on reported data in addition to your observations.

Instructions For Each of the 8 Items:

EYE CONTACT

EYE CONTACT

This item must be based on your observation.

INTEREST IN OTHERS

INTEREST IN OTHERS

This item must be based on your observation.

POINTING SKILLS

POINTING SKILLS

This item must be based on your observation. Ask younger people to show you something in your office. If they cannot, then point to something to see if they look at the object you pointed to.  For adults who do not spontaneously point, observe for the presence of hand gestures that mediate nonverbal communication.

LANGUAGE

LANGUAGE

This item is based equally on reported and observed data.  So, if a parent REPORTS that their child uses full, complex sentences--even if the child does not exhibit such skills during the exam--you should score a "0". 

Recent data suggests that ~30% children with ASD have oral motor or speech sound abnormalities. But "articulation problem" does not contribute to the score--it is just there for your clinical use. 

PRAGMATICS OF LANGUAGE

PRAGMATICS OF LANGUAGE

This item is not applicable if the previous item is scored 1 or 2. For verbal people:  if you OBSERVE any of the signs/symptoms on the right (e.g. monopolizes, pedantic, can't make small talk, can't answer clearly; or, unvaried/odd intonation) then the item automatically gets score of 2.  If you don't observe such signs/symptoms but they are REPORTED then the item gets score of 1. 

REPETITIVE BEHAVIORS AND STEREOTYPY

REPETITIVE BEHAVIORS AND STEREOTYPY

This item is based equally on reported and observed data.  So, if a parent reports that their child has overly formal (stereotyped) speech--even if you don't observe it--mark it and score the item:  2.

Compulsive-like behaviors can include:  lining up, spinning or moving objects back and forth; repetitive requests/demands, hoarding, pacing, jumping, etc.  

Motor stereotypy:  arm flapping, finger flicking; Vocal stereotypy:  forced exhalations/vocalizations; Echolalia: delayed or immediate recitation of words or phrases usually without communicative intent; Stereotyped speech:  overly formal/atypical usually with communicative intent.   

UNUSUAL OR ENCOMPASSING PREOCCUPATIONS

UNUSUAL OR ENCOMPASSING PREOCCUPATIONS

Encompassing preoccupations typically "take over" one's life, supplant other interests/hobbies and cause impairment in numerous domains. They can change over time and for the purpose of this exam must occur within the past 2 weeks. To be scored a 2 the preoccupation must spontaneously emerge during your exam.  An unusual preoccupation may take the form of an interest that is atypical and very specific, such as kitchen appliance model numbers or calendar dates.  For the purpose of this exam, an unusual preoccupation need not "take over" one's life but may simply be present.  In younger or more affected people preoccupations may take the following forms: 1) particular attachment to an unusual object or 2) particular interest in nonfunctional aspects of toys or other objects through stimulation of touch, taste, visual and vestibular modalities.  Examples:  staring at spinning wheel, blinking light, or TV screen; feeling textures; moving objects back and forth in peripheral visual field. 

UNUSUAL SENSITIVITIES

UNUSUAL SENSITIVITIES

Heightened sensitivity to noise, touch, smell or taste OR High pain threshold.  For example, a child may cover his or her ears in response to a noise.  A person may report extreme sensitivity to clothing labels or textures of clothing fabrics. The examiner may notice that an impulsive child bangs into a piece of furniture and appears to have a high pain threshold. 

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