The Community-based Skills Assessment Survey (CSA)
The challenges associated with the transition from school services to adulthood for individuals with autism are well documented. Every individual with autism is different and as a result, there is no "one size fits all" plan for the path to adulthood. The most important factor in creating a plan is to focus on the individual. His or her strengths, needs, challenges and preferences will play a critical role in ensuring a successful transition process.
To help with the transition planning process, Autism Speaks worked with Virginia Commonwealth Universitys Rehabilitation Research and Training Center to design the Community based Skill Assessment Survey (CSA), which aims to help parents and professionals assess the current skill levels and abilities of individuals with autism beginning at age 12 and continuing into adulthood in order to develop a comprehensive plan.
The CSA is the first tool to assess needs in the area of community-based living, from transportation to financial management to peer relationships and more. The tool is divided into three levels based upon the age of the individual being assessed. Eight critical areas of functional life skills will be assessed:
Career path and employment
Self-determination/advocacy
Health and safety
Peer relationships, socialization and social communication
Community participation and personal finance
Transportation
Leisure/recreation
Home living skills
The assessment uses both a criterion-based observation and interview-based process to measure the individuals knowledge, skills and behaviors.
This application was developed by Identifor and provided as a free service to Autism Speak and the broader community. This automates the survey process and enables easy use of the tool by professionals and individuals with autism.