Choosing Performance-Based Outcome Measures of Daily Living Skills and Socialization for Clinical Trials in Autistic Children

Importance: Robust and psychometrically sound performance-based outcome measures are needed for clinical trials of occupational therapy interventions for children with autism. Objective: To demonstrate a systematic approach for choosing psychometrically sound performance-based outcome measures of daily living skills and socialization for use in clinical trials of occupational therapy interventions for children with autism. Design: Rapid literature review to identify appropriate measures for studies with this population followed by quality indicator ratings and a nominal group process. Setting: University. Participants: Four experts in autism and pediatric outcome measurement. Outcomes and Measures: Twenty-one outcome measures of daily living skills and socialization were identified and reviewed. Results: Seven measures met the inclusion criteria. The Assessment of Motor and Process Skills and the Evaluation of Social Interaction–Second Edition, received the highest ratings and group consensus. Several other measures were also scored highly. Conclusions and Relevance: Careful assessment of psychometric properties is an important component of choosing outcome measures for a clinical trial, but burden of assessment and study objectives are important considerations.