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ASD Assessment Guidelines for Behavior Analysts

The Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) and Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) jointly created the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Assessment Guidelines to help behavior analysts ethically, effectively assess clients with autism. The guidelines are designed to help ABA practitioners select, design, and administer standardized instruments to identify:

  • Core symptoms and autism characteristics.
  • Adaptive functioning.
  • Well-being and quality of life.
  • Co-occurring health conditions.

The guidelines also describe behavior analysts’ ethical obligations to:

  • Maximize client benefit.
  • Minimize potential harm.
  • Consider clients’ unique needs, circumstances, and resources.

The ASD Assessment Guidelines are available for download below.

CASP and APBA have also produced an interactive, online tool as a companion resource to the ASD Assessment Guidelines. The ASD Assessment Repository is designed to support practitioners in identifying and selecting assessment tools that are appropriate for the unique needs, characteristics, and clinical circumstances of individual clients.

Beta access to the ASD Assessment Repository is currently limited to individuals who attended either the breakout session, "Elevating ABA Assessments: Unveiling the CASP/APBA Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Assessment Guidelines for Behavior Analysts” at the 2026 Annual CASP Conference or the joint CASP/APBA webinar, "The Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Assessment Guidelines for Behavior Analysts" on May 14th, 2026. 

We will collect beta tester feedback through May 31, 2026 to assist CASP and APBA in refining the resource prior to a broader public release.

Beta Testers can access the ASD Repository and feedback form below. 

Attestation

Prior to accessing the ASD Assessment Guidelines and ASD Assessment Repository, users will be required to review and acknowledge the following attestation regarding the intended use and limitations of these resources. This process is intended to help ensure that users understand the purpose of the materials, the context in which they should be applied, and the professional responsibilities associated with their use.

Purpose of the Resources

The ASD Assessment Guidelines and associated ASD Assessment Repository ("Resources") are developed and maintained by the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) and the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) (collectively, the "Organizations"). These Resources are intended to support education and knowledge-sharing in the field of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) assessment.

The Resources:

  • Are provided for educational and informational purposes only
  • Reflect the best available information at the time of development
  • May be updated, modified, or removed at any time without notice
  • Do not constitute professional, clinical, legal, or diagnostic advice
No Professional Advice

Nothing contained in the Resources constitutes or should be interpreted as professional, clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic, or legal advice. The content is a compilation of information, including publicly available data, and is not a substitute for the independent judgment of a qualified professional.

User Responsibilities

As a condition of access, you agree that you will:

  • Independently verify all information with original publishers, developers, or primary sources
  • Ensure that any use of the information is current, accurate, and appropriate
  • Operate strictly within your applicable licensure, certification, and scope of practice
  • Comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations
  • Adhere to all professional, ethical, contractual, and organizational obligations
  • Maintain appropriate competence, training, and supervision when using any assessment tools
  • Follow all requirements related to test security, intellectual property, and permitted use
Licensure, Certification, and Ethical Compliance

The selection, administration, scoring, and interpretation of any assessment instrument is subject to applicable laws, licensure requirements, certification standards, and professional ethical codes. You are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all such requirements.

No Endorsement

Inclusion of any assessment instrument, tool, or information in the Resources does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or approval by the Organizations. The Organizations do not warrant the validity, reliability, clinical utility, or appropriateness of any instrument for any specific use or population.

Accuracy and Completeness of Information

While the Organizations strive to provide accurate and current information, they make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or availability of the Resources. Information may contain errors or omissions and may become outdated.

Disclaimer of Warranties

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Resources are provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including but not limited to:

  • Merchantability
  • Fitness for a particular purpose
  • Non-infringement
Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, CASP and APBA, including their officers, directors, employees, agents, contributors, and affiliates, shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of data, revenue, or goodwill, arising out of or related to:

  • Your access to or use of the Resources
  • Your reliance on any information contained in the Resources
  • Any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the content
  • Inability to access or use the Resources
Assumption of Risk

You acknowledge and agree that:

  • You assume full responsibility and risk for any decisions or actions taken based on the Resources
  • Any reliance on the information is solely at your own risk
Intellectual Property and Use Restrictions

All content within the Resources is protected by applicable intellectual property laws. Access does not grant ownership or unrestricted use rights.

You agree not to:

  • Reproduce, distribute, or modify content except as permitted
  • Use the Resources in a manner that violates publisher rights or licensing agreements
Modifications and Access

The Organizations reserve the right to:

  • Modify, suspend, or discontinue the Resources at any time
  • Update these terms without prior notice
  • Continued use constitutes acceptance of any updated terms.
Clickthrough Acknowledgement

By selecting "Accept" and proceeding to access the Resources, you acknowledge and agree that you:

  • Have read and understand this Attestation and Agreement
  • Agree to be bound by all terms and conditions stated herein
  • Accept full responsibility for your use and application of the information
  • Will use the Resources in a lawful, ethical, and professionally appropriate manner

ACCEPT