Adaptation and pilot implementation of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool for Autism Spectrum Disorders (PAT-ASD)

Recognizing the multifaceted and chronic demands on families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and challenges in providing care matched to need, we adapted the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT), a brief caregiver-report screener of family psychosocial risk, for this population. Study methods included literature review, focus groups with providers, and feedback from caregivers. The PAT-ASD is consistent with the original PAT, with new items reflecting core behavioral manifestations of ASD and parent and family challenges associated with chronicity. The PAT-ASD was implemented in a four-month pilot and was completed online by 59% of families. Although further testing of its validity is necessary, the PAT-ASD is a promising means of assessing family psychosocial risk for families of children with ASD.