Assessment: Measures of Adaptive Behavior/Social Maturity/Development

ABAS II

Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Two.

Conceptual: The conceptual domain measures skills in the areas of communication, functional academics, and self direction.

Social: The social domain measures skills in the areas of leisure and social skills.

Practical: The practical domain measures skills in the areas of community use, school living, health and safety, and self-care.

GAC (General Adaptive Composite): A composite of the conceptual, social, and practical domains that gives an overall score of adaptive behavior.

This test is normed for ages birth to 89 years (sorry, 90 year old students).
Measures adaptive behavior by ratings of what the individual can independently perform and how often they do so when needed.

Comes with five forms: Parent (0-5yrs), teacher (2-5 yrs), parent (5-21 yrs), teacher (5-21 yrs), and adult (16-89).

Write-up Description: The ABAS-II is used to obtain a complete assessment of adaptive skills functioning. It is used to identify an individual’s strengths and limitations and to document and monitor the individual’s performance over time in order to develop an appropriate intervention plan. It assesses four domains of adaptive behavior including conceptual, social, practical, and a general adaptive composite.

For an example ETR using the ABAS II, click here.

Vineland

The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales

The Vineland comes in three versions:

  • Interview Edition (Survey) (0-18yr 11mo) – can be in person or on the phone. 297 items.
  • Classroom Edition (3yr – 12 yr 11mo) – teacher may take home.
  • Interview Edition - Expanded form (0-18yr 11mo and low functioning adults) - 577 items! Offers a more comprehensive assessment of adaptive behavior and has a better internal consistency.

The Motor Skill Domain is usually completed for children under the age of six years.

The test covers:

  • Communication
    • Receptive: Measures what the individual understands
    • Expressive: Measures what the individual says
    • Written: Measures both reading and writing
  • Daily Living Skills
    • Personal: How the individual eats, dresses, practices hygiene, etc.
    • Domestic: What household tasks the person performs
    • Community: How the individual uses time, $, phone, and job skills
  • Socialization
    • Interpersonal relationships: Interactions with others
    • Play and Leisure time
    • Coping skills: How the person demonstrates responsibility and sensitivity to others.
  • Motor Skills
    • Gross: Surveys arm/leg use for movement and coordination via questions
    • Fine: Surveys hand/finger use for movement and coordination via questions

The Survey and Expanded forms also measure Maladaptive Behavior.

Mean of 100, SD of 15

Write-up Descriptions: The Vineland are an individual assessment of adaptive behavior. Adaptive behavior is defined as performance of the day to day activities necessary to take care of oneself and get along with others. Adaptive behavior is age-based and is defined by the expectations and standards of others. Adaptive behavior represents the typical performance rather than the ability of the individual – what a person actually does as opposed to what a person is capable of doing. The Vineland covers four adaptive behavior domains: Communication. Daily Living Skills, Socialization, and Motor Skills. It also provides an adaptive behavior composite score.

Or
The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales use interviews to measure the performance of day to day activities necessary to take care of oneself and get along with others. Expectations are age-based and represent actual performance rather than assumed ability.

For example ETRs using the Vineland, click here and here.

Filed under: Praxis II Studies
Copyright: October, 2005 - David Profitt