Brief Report: The Application of Skills and Knowledge (ASK) model: A novel conceptualization of social performance to guide instrument development and advance adult autism research

Current conceptualizations of social competency often focus on value judgments (e.g., appropriateness) that are influenced by a combination of individual and environmental factors, such as a social partner’s understanding of autism. We posit that social performance is an understudied, but critical contributor to adult social functioning and present the Application of Skills and Knowledge (ASK) model to stimulate research in this area. The ASK model aims to separate social performance from other factors that may promote or adversely impact social functioning, therefore allowing for identification of treatment targets that do not solely rest on the individual. This framework can be used to accelerate future instrument and intervention development efforts to support well-being and community participation for autistic adults.