The ACLs measure aroused attention, sustained attention time and information processing speed. All three are included in the ACLS-6 in a modified clinical format.
Aroused attention is used to select activities. Not paying attention is usually an indication that the activity is too hard for the person.
Response time starts after you complete the initial directions and ends after they complete the first action. Response time is a practical, clinical measure of information processing speed.
You will need to use a stop watch with each activity. One has been built into the Allen App for your convenience.
You need to know when to start and stop the stop watch so that you can do it without reading the instructions.
Sustained attention includes the response time and the time spent doing the activity.
While they are doing the activity, you should focus your attention on what information they are paying attention to. Watch their hands and face to see if and when attention is captured and held.
Prompts are given to recapture attention, when you see that their attention has wandered. The ACL score is based on what information captures attention. How often supervision is required to sustain attention is another question that is not included in the initial pattern of performance, i.e. the ACLS-6.
Sustained attention time is used for scheduling.