Preliminary Study of the Autism Self-Efficacy Scale for Teachers (ASSET)

•Self-efficacy refers to task specific behaviors that may help inform teaching practice.•A self-efficacy scale for teachers of students with autism is needed.•The Autism Self-Efficacy Scale for Teachers has good reliability and construct validity.

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate a new measure, the Autism Self-Efficacy Scale for Teachers (ASSET) for its dimensionality, internal consistency, and construct validity derived in a sample of special education teachers (N = 44) of students with autism. Results indicate that all items reflect one dominant factor, teachers’ responses to items were internally consistent within the sample, and compared to a 100-point scale, a 6-point response scale is adequate. ASSET scores were found to be negatively correlated with scores on two subscale measures of teacher stress (i.e., self-doubt/need for support and disruption of the teaching process) but uncorrelated with teacher burnout scores. The ASSET is a promising tool that requires replication with larger samples.