A Component-Based Leisure Activity Assessment for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Preliminary Investigation

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have limited opportunities to participate in leisure activities, and behavior analysts need guidance in identifying activities their clients prefer. To support both groups, we present a user-friendly assessment that considers client preference and activity engagement when determining suitable leisure activities for individuals with ASD. Three adults with ASD who required significant support participated across three phases. During the first phase, concurrent operant arrangements were used to develop a preference profile for three leisure activity components: social interaction versus no interaction, electronic versus nonelectronic activities, and stationary activities versus those requiring movement. All participants showed clear preferences. The second phase used the resulting preference profile to assess engagement and the occurrence of problem behavior with leisure activities that matched or did not match their profile. Participants were more engaged with matched activities. Although problem behavior was rare, it occurred at lower rates with activities matched to the preference profile. The final phase assessed preference for matched versus unmatched leisure activities, with all participants preferring matched activities. These findings add to the literature by demonstrating an objective method for designing and evaluating new leisure experiences under controlled but naturalistic conditions. • The current study provides a new data-driven approach to identifying leisure preferences for adults with ASD. • The current study evaluates components of leisure activities to tailor leisure options effectively. • Leisure activities aligned with preferences result in higher engagement and fewer problem behaviors. • The assessment is adaptable for various populations, including transition planning and aging clients. • The current study fills a gap by offering an efficient means of evaluating preference for leisure activities.