Refining the Autism Spectrum Disorder Attention Profile (ASDAP) : Attention Assessment in ASD

Abstract

The Autism Spectrum Disorder Attention Profile (ASDAP) is an unpublished protocol designed to measure 15 attention-related factors identified in research. Attention is a key behavioral phenotype affecting 50–70% of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), yet it is not formally recognized as a defining trait of ASD (Hours et al., 2022). The original study aimed to develop a protocol for assessing attention and to determine which ASDAP factors consistently reflected attention across five participants. With IRB approval, participants with existing or probable ASD diagnoses were recruited and assessed through informal clinical observations at the UWEC CCD clinic and caregiver interviews. Observations took place during informal therapy sessions, and caregiver-reported data were integrated into the ASDAP for a more comprehensive assessment across different environments. Data analysis, completed in spring 2024, revealed key areas for improvement, leading to a full redesign of the protocol. These refinements aim to enhance the ASDAP’s validity and increase its practicality. We are optimistic that our changes will result in more effective attention assessments in individuals with ASD. Future research will focus on testing the revised protocol in a larger sample to establish its clinical utility.