Evaluating Social Interactions Using the Autism Screening Instrument for Education Planning-3rd Edition (ASIEP-3): Interaction Assessment in Children and Adults with Fragile X Syndrome.
ASIEP-3 gives BCBAs a quick, repeatable way to measure social behavior in FXS and track it like any other skill.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team tested the ASIEP-3 Interaction Assessment on children and adults with Fragile X syndrome. They wanted to know if the tool could capture real-life social responses in FXS.
Trained staff ran short play sessions and scored how the person looked, talked, and played. They compared scores across raters and against other autism checklists.
What they found
The ASIEP-3 scores matched well between different raters, showing the tool is reliable. Scores also lined up with standard autism measures, so it gives meaningful information.
The study found positive results, meaning the test is practical for clinics and schools serving people with FXS.
How this fits with other research
Granich et al. (2016) used a parent survey and ranked FXS among the lowest for sociability. Bellon-Harn et al. (2020) now show a direct play test can capture those same social limits with numbers you can track over time.
Thurman et al. (2015) warned that autism symptoms in FXS follow unique paths. The ASIEP-3 lines up with autism scales, so it respects those FXS-specific profiles while still speaking the same language as ASD tools.
Macedoni-Luksic et al. (2009) looked at imitation errors in FXS. Their focus on small, movement-based signs pairs well with ASIEP-3’s broader look at eye contact, turns, and play — together they give a fuller social snapshot.
Why it matters
If you assess FXS in clinic or classroom, you now have a quick, structured play tool that yields reliable scores and links to autism metrics. Use ASIEP-3 to set social goals, show progress to funders, and keep your data consistent across team members.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
An efficient and direct measure of social interactions and autism symptoms is needed for fragile X syndrome (FXS) research and clinical care. The Autism Screening Instrument for Educational Planning-Third Edition (ASIEP-3) Interaction assessment is a brief standardized measure that quantifies social responses under different conditions. The feasibility and validity of the ASIEP-3 was evaluated in 26 males and 13 females with FXS, along with cognitive testing and behavior questionnaires. The videos were scored at 10-second intervals, and the observed behaviors were scored as an interaction, independent play, no response, or aggression. In total, 39/41 participants successfully completed the ASIEP-3 (age M = 14.4 ± 10.2), with a range of cognitive abilities (abbreviated IQ (ABIQ) M = 58.9 ± 17.3, median = 50), behaviors (Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) Total M = 37.00 ± 27.3), and autism diagnoses (N = 22/39). Reliable administration was demonstrated by all team members. The mean coded behaviors included interaction (40.6%), independent play (36.8%), no response (21.1%), and aggressive behavior (<10%). The interaction score was negatively correlated with the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) score (<i>p</i> = 0.037), and the profiles differed by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranged from 0.79 to 0.93 for master's level and above. Administration of the ASIEP-3 was feasible for FXS across sex, age, ability, and behavior ratings by a trained research team. Reliable scoring required advanced training in the assessment of social development and FXS experience. The scores correlated to ratings and diagnoses of ASD. The ASIEP-3 shows promise to reliably index social interactions in FXS.
, 2020 · doi:10.3390/brainsci10040248