ASDAT: Evaluating Autism Symptom Severity

This study aims to develop and validate the Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment Tool (ASDAT), a user-friendly, objective tool for assessing the severity of ASD symptoms and informing treatment planning. Currently, there are no tools that both evaluate ASD severity across DSM-5 criteria and guide treatment dosage recommendations. The ASDAT will address this gap by providing a standardized measure that aids diagnosticians and practitioners in determining appropriate care and treatment levels. Children aged 16 months to 14 years who are receiving diagnostic services at MMI’s Autism Diagnostic Clinic, along with their caregivers, will be recruited for this study. While the children are the primary recipients of the diagnostic services, their caregivers will participate by completing four surveys via REDCap about their child: one collecting demographic and medical information, one assessing the child’s communication and social interaction, one evaluating restricted and repetitive behaviors, and one providing feedback on the survey’s acceptability. Caregivers will complete these surveys only once, during their child's diagnostic appointment. Additionally, providers who are both part of the ADC clinic and the research team will complete two questionnaires: a demographics questionnaire about themselves and a survey about the child participant for whom they are providing diagnostic services. The ASDAT will be tested for diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, and its acceptability and feasibility will be evaluated through completion rates and time. This study will provide insights into the ASDAT’s ability to diagnose ASD and guide treatment decisions, with the goal of creating a standardized, objective tool for clinicians, diagnosticians, and managed care providers.