| Title: |
Development of a Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) Outcome Measure for Clinical Interventional Studies in Paediatric Autism |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Hannah Staunton (ORCID 0000-0003-4662-6490); Tammy McIver (ORCID 0009-0002-9766-1245); Julian Tillmann (ORCID 0000-0001-9574-9855); Susanne Clinch; Vivienne Hanrahan (ORCID 0000-0002-4923-7901); Bethany Ewens; Caroline Averius; Alexandra I. Barsdorf; Aurelie Baranger; Elizabeth Berry Kravis; Tony Charman (ORCID 0000-0003-1993-6549); Haraldt Neerland; Alison T. Singer (ORCID 0009-0008-2365-8290); Pamela Ventola (ORCID 0000-0002-8062-0626); Zackary J. K. Williams (ORCID 0000-0001-7646-423X); Louise Barrett |
| Source: |
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2025 29(12):2975-2990. |
| Availability: |
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
16 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: |
Autism Spectrum Disorders; Test Construction; Goal Orientation; Adolescents; Children; Parents; Psychiatry; Psychologists; Health Personnel; Professional Personnel; Research |
| DOI: |
10.1177/13623613251349904 |
| ISSN: |
1362-3613; 1461-7005 |
| Abstract: |
Existing clinical outcome assessments (COAs) have limitations in capturing treatment effects in autism for those who choose to enrol in clinical research. Some COAs include items that are not relevant or equally important to all autistic people; others are not sufficiently comprehensive. Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS), which measures individual experiences against personalised goals, has been proposed as a more individualised and change-sensitive approach to assess outcomes in clinical studies. We developed a novel GAS measure for use in paediatric autism studies based on qualitative interviews with autistic adolescents, parents and clinicians. Applying a methodologically robust approach, concept elicitation interviews (N = 40) were first conducted to understand and generate a bank of personalised goals, followed by cognitive debriefing interviews (N = 39) to provide feedback on a draft GAS manual. Twenty-five personalised goals were generated for core autistic characteristics (communication, socialisation, restrictive and repetitive behaviours), as well as associated characteristics and impacts. In debriefing interviews, adolescents and parents supported the use of personalised goals and clinicians recommended using such goals in clinical studies and practice. In conclusion, GAS measures may overcome some of the challenges with existing outcome measures and complement future outcome measurement strategies for clinical studies in paediatric autism. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2025 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1489733 |
| Database: |
ERIC |