Title of Assessment
Allen's Cognitive Level Screen (ACLS) 6th edition
Author(s)
Claudia K. Allen
Year of Publication/Publisher
2023
ACLA and LACLA Committee
Identify Type of Assessment
performance-based
evidence-based
theory based
standardized
observation-based
criterion-referenced
Cost (identify source) & How to Access Assessment (include link if possible)
Population (who it is appropriate for [age, diagnosis, etc.])
adult and geriatric population
cognitive impairments, TBIs, vision impairments, and mental health disorders
Appropriate Settings (potential practice settings appropriate to administer assessment in)
inpatient rehabilitation, acute care, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, and home health
Purpose of Assessment & Function(s)/Area(s) Assessed
The ACLS provides a quick understanding of how a client learns, process, problem-solves, and their performance abilities. It also helps the healthcare professional see their limitations and challenges while measuring their functional capacity. It assesses learning, step-following ability, decision-making, cognitive processing, and motor movements.
Administration (time to administer, group/individual, if there are subtests, can they be completed individually, are there specific instructions to ensure standardization, etc.)
more or less than 20 minutes depending on client
intended for individual therapy
three stitches involved in the test (running stitch, whip stitch, and the cordovan stitch
User Qualifications
health care professional
Materials Required
pre-punched leather rectangle, blunt sewing needle, 2 brass threaded locking needles, waxed linen thread, and leather lace
Scoring Procedure (how is assessment scored and what does score indicate)
Scoring is based on stitching performance. The more stitches the client performs correctly the more points they will receive. The points are correlated to certain cognitive levels. This test is only used with individuals that have a score range from 3.0-5.8. The levels range from 0-6, indicating 0 is unconscious and unaware of orientation and the world around them, 1 is very impaired cognition and awareness that requires 247 care, 2 (large body movements) is minor movements can occur but 24/7 care is still needed, 3 (manual actions) is when individuals need help with ADLs and IADLs often and need cueing but not as much help is needed, 4 (familiar activity) is when safety issues and problem-solving may be challenging but client may be able to live alone and need routine, 5 (learning new activities) is when cognitive impairment is mild, and 6 reflects normal cognition.
Psychometrics/Standardization (norms, reliability/validity studies)
good interrater reliability
adequate validity and concurrent validity
Strengths & Weaknesses of Assessment
strengths
provides insight on cognitive abilities
easy to administer
it is client-centered and will allow the OTR to provide caregivers and clients with the appropriate recommendations for their daily living
weaknesses
not occupation-based
can be time-consuming per individual
References
“Allen Cognitive Level Screen.” Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, www.sralab.org/rehabilitation-measures/allen-cognitive-level-screen
Esther Heerema, MSW. “What Is the Allen Cognitive Level Screen?” Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 28 Nov. 2023, www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-the-allen-cognitive-level-screen-4129962#:~:text=The%20Allen%20Cognitive%20Levels%20are,able%20to%20do%20the%20test
“Psychometrics Evidence.” Allen Cognitive Group, 4 Jan. 2021, allencognitive.com/psychometrics-evidence/
Therapro, www.therapro.com/Evaluations/Evaluations-2/Allen-Cognitive-Level-Screen-5_2.html