Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum, Second Edition (MIGDAS-2)

The MIGDAS is a qualitative, sensory-based interview framework designed to help clinicians gather rich, descriptive information about an individual's developmental history, communication style, sensory experiences and social functioning.

What to Expect

  • It’s a conversation on how you experience the world, especially through senses, communication and social interactions

  • Usually involves en environment with a variety of sensory objects (if desired) to interact with. Feel free to bring your own preferred sensory objects

  • It’s generally split into two 1.5 hour interview sessions and can occur in person or via Telehealth

How to Prepare

You won’t “need” to prepare as there are no right or wrong answers and you are the expert on you, so i’m sure you’ll have all the information you need already in mind. However, reflecting the following topics and questions, particularly related to when you were younger, and thinking of examples will be helpful. Feel free to ask others about these topics or send them these questions to reflect on too.

Think of examples for each question & how this has changed throughout your childhood to now.

  • Sensory Experiences - Are there any unique ways you respond to sensory input? Certain textures you crave or avoid? Any noises that have always been unusually unpleasant? Picky eating traits?

  • Communication Style - Are you more one-sided in your conversations? Is you more formal in your language? Do you have any unique phrases you often repeat or mimic? Do you struggle with conversations and small talk, not knowing what to say? Do often misunderstand tone or sarcasm? Do you struggle with eye contact or find this uncomfortable?

  • Social Interaction & Relationships - Do you prefer to be more solitary than around others? Do you struggle to understand the “rules” of social interactions? Do you try to copy others to fit in? Do you have any close friendships? Do your interactions come across as bossy, passive, shy or awkward? Do you struggle with understanding styles of humour?

  • Emotional Awareness & Self Understanding - Do you have strong emotional reactions that are hard to control? Do you struggle to name and understand your feelings? Do struggle with empathy and feel emotionally distant at times? Do you seem to bottle things up?

  • Routines, Predictability & Change - Do you have strong preferences for doing things in a certain way? Do you get unusually upset if plan change unexpectedly? Do you find comfort in repetition? Do you line things up and organise things frequently? Do you need to mentally prepare for transitions and unfamiliar events?

  • Interests & Focus Areas - Do you have deep or unusual interests? Do your interests tend to dominate your time and effort? Do you frequently collect things or learn in depth facts about certain topics? Are you known for knowing everything about niche subjects? Do you prefer your interests to socialising?