The BASS is a screening tool designed to assess social skills in dementia
The BASS-S comprises five subtests: Face Emotion Perception, Empathy/Theory of Mind, Social Disinhibition, Social Reasoning, and Memory for New Faces (+ an optional Facial Identification Task)
Each subtest represents an element within the domain of social cognition
Subtests are scored individually; there is no overall total score
Administration time for the BASS-S is approximately 15-20 minutes and can be administered at the bedside
Scoring should take under 5 minutes
Normative data for the BASS-D and BASS-S have been developed in a sample of adults aged 60+ in Australia.
Face Emotion Perception - 54 items/4 tasks
Empathy/Theory of Mind - 19 stimuli
Social Disinhibition I & II - 4 tasks
Social Reasoning - 5 stimuli
Memory for Familiar Faces - not validated
Facial Identification (optional task) - 16 stimuli
Face Emotion Perception - 23 items/2 tasks
Empathy/Theory of Mind - 9 stimuli
Social Disinhibition I & II - 4 tasks (unchanged from BASS-D)
Social Reasoning - 5 stimuli (unchanged from BASS-D)
Memory for New Faces (new task) - 6 stimuli
Facial Identification (optional task) - 8 stimuli
Based on normative data, the BASS tells you if the person is performing as expected compared to other people their age
The BASS does not provide information regarding the cause of the individual's cognitive impairment.
The BASS should be used with individuals who present with suspected or diagnosed dementia
The current validity evidence regards individuals 60+ years, however, a study with participants under 60 has been conducted and is in preparation
The BASS-S has been validated for administration both in-person and via telehealth.
If the individual is distressed about completing the test or states that they do not wish to complete the test
Research is yet to be conducted on the validity of the BASS when translated into languages other than English and Thai (underway)
Social skills are culturally bound. Please consider the appropriateness of the test and its interpretation if you are conducting the test on a person from a culture other than the normative populations of the BASS
Some BASS-S subscales should not be compared over time where a mix of telehealth and in-person assessment formats are used.
It is standardised, valid and reliable
Social skills deficits can be an early sign of dementia. Identification of deficits in this area can provide information to inform the broader clinical picture and diagnostic process
Social skills are crucial for maintaining strong relationships and support. When they are affected, it can place significant strain on relationships and affect care. Knowledge of an individual's difficulties in this domain can help clinicians, families and the individual to develop targeted strategies.
The BASS is not a diagnostic tool. It is used to provide information about possible social skills deficits in dementia and should form part of a wider assessment process.