Functioning Assessment in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Functioning assessment in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has evolved from narrow symptom-based evaluations towards comprehensive models that capture the complex interplay between individual abilities, environmental facilitators and barriers. Modern frameworks foreground real-world activities and participation, recognising that adaptive behaviour, sensory processing, social cognition and motor skills each shape daily living and quality of life. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a universal taxonomy, organising functioning into body structures and functions, activities and participation, and environmental factors. Tailored ICF Core Sets for autism distil the most pertinent categories for different age groups, enabling standardised yet flexible assessments across clinical, educational and policy settings. This breadth supports personalised interventions, equitable access to services and cross-national data harmonisation. Increasingly, assessments incorporate neurodiversity-affirmative principles, shifting from deficit-oriented metrics to strengths-based profiles that inform individualised support plans. Interdisciplinary teams—combining clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, educators and family members—now employ ICF-aligned tools to guide decision-making, monitor outcomes and inform research. Functioning assessment thus serves as a bridge between diagnosis and meaningful participation, underpinning evidence-based practice and international collaboration in ASD care.

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Functioning Assessment in Autism Spectrum Disorder publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in functioning assessment in autism spectrum disorder across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A neurodevelopmental condition characterised by differences in social communication, restricted interests and sensory processing, presenting with wide individual variation.

International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF): A World Health Organization framework that organises aspects of functioning into body functions and structures, activities and participation, and environmental factors.

ICF Core Sets: Condensed selections of ICF categories identified as most relevant for assessing functioning in specific health conditions or age groups.

References

1. The Gestalt of functioning in autism revisited: First revision of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Sets. Autism (2024).
2. From Symptomatology to Functioning - Applying the ICF to Autism Measures to Facilitate Neurodiversity-Affirmative Data Harmonization. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (2023).
3. Application of the international classification of functioning, disability, and health in autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A scoping review. Autism (2024).
4. Sensory Profile-2 in Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Analysis within the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Framework. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (2024).