Development and Validity of the Deenz Autism Spectrum Profile Assessment Scale (DASPAS-42)

Deenz Autism Spectrum Profile Assessment Scale (DASPAS-42) represents a significant advancement in the evaluation of autism spectrum traits. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by a diverse range of symptoms and behaviors, spanning social, communication, sensory, and emotional domains. Existing diagnostic tools often fall short of capturing this diversity, focusing on limited traits or overlooking subtler manifestations of autism. The DASPAS-42 was designed to address these gaps, providing a multidimensional framework that assesses autism traits across 14 key dimensions: socialization, communication, sensory processing, flexibility, routine, repetition, emotional sensitivity, anxiety, empathy, motor skills, attention, transitions, expression, and special interests. Reliability and validity were established using a diverse sample of individuals with autism and neurotypical controls. Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency was .88, and test-retest reliability was .84, confirming the scale's reliability. Construct, discriminant, and criterion validity further supported its efficacy, with significant correlations observed between DASPAS-42 scores and established measures of autism traits. Normative data were collected from a sample of 300 participants, enabling the establishment of percentile-based scoring categories. The DASPAS-42 is intended for use by clinicians, educators, and researchers, providing valuable insights that can inform diagnosis, intervention planning, and support strategies.