Development and Reliability of the Autism Work Skills Questionnaire (AWSQ)

Abstract

MeSH TERMSautistic disorder employment questionnaires self-report vocational guidance OBJECTIVE. The Autism Work Skills Questionnaire (AWSQ), a new, comprehensive self-report assessment of a person's vocational profile, was developed to help produce a good person-job match. This preliminary study was aimed at developing the questionnaire and determining its content validity and internal consistency.METHOD. Forty-six adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD), ages 18-39, were interviewed with the questionnaire. A two-phase study was conducted: (1) constructing the questionnaire and determining its content validity and (2) ascertaining internal consistency reliability. RESULTS.We found that the AWSQ had initial content validity and moderate to high internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's a 5 .64-.90).CONCLUSION. The AWSQ can be a useful clinical and research tool in occupational therapy for evaluating work skills of adults with HFASD. Further studies with larger samples and including both typically developing individuals and individuals with HFASD are required to further support the questionnaire's reliability and validity.

Barriers and Facilitators to Employment for Adults With Autism: A Scoping Review

“…Related to functioning, possessing insight into one's strengths and weaknesses was also considered an important facilitator (n = 11) in adults who tended to be successful in finding and maintaining employment (e.g., Whetzel, 2014). More practically, possessing skills related to a specific job (e.g., Gal, Ben Meir, & Katz, 2013), whether through interest or through previous experience, was also described as a facilitator (n = 14). Few studies examined gender as a factor contributing to employment.…”

JobTIPS: A Transition to Employment Program for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…Lack of a validated and accepted employment skills measurement tool for ASD also hinders research on strategies effective across the range of job skills and abilities found within the spectrum. A newly developed Autism Work Skills Questionnaire (AWSQ) is an attempt to fill this gap, but has only been tested with forty-six individuals (Gal et al 2013). This research void creates a gap in mandated and needed services that is presently being met by local, individualized and unproven programs.…”

Occupational Therapy in Autism

“…Other assessments specific to occupational therapy may include sensory-motor skills, socialization skills, cognitive skills and participation in activities of daily living. The Vocational Index, The Autism Work Skills Questionnaire (AWSQ), Vineland Adaptive Behavioural Scale, Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile, Waisman Activities of Daily Living Scale are examples for standardized assessments that can be used [80,83,[234][235][236].…”