Adaptive Behavior Scales
I. What is an Adaptive Behavior Scale?
-assessment tool used to determine a student’s level of functioning in daily living tasks needed to be successful across settings (school, home, community, work)
II. Types of Adaptive Behavior Scales
A. Adaptive Behavior Assessment System-II (ABAS-II)
B. Vineland-II Adaptive Behavior Scale
C. Scales of Independent Behavior (SIB)
D. School Function Assessment (SFA)
III. Adaptive Behavior Assessment System
A. uses behavior rating form to assess adaptive behavior and related skills of individuals - from 0-89 years old.
B. Standardized, Norm-referenced
C. scores describe a student’s adaptive behavior and functioning in 10 related adaptive skill areas
a. communication
b. community use
c. functional academics
d. school /home living
e. health and safety
f. leisure
g. self-care
f. self-direction
h. social
i. work (for adolescents and adults)
D. scores provide information of a student’s practical and daily living skills
needed to function independently (without support) in different
environments, for self care,
and to interact with others
E. adaptive skills are grouped in three domains
1. Conceptual Domain-communication, self direction, and functional
academics
2. Social Domain-social and leisure skills
3. Practical Domain- self-care, home living, community use, health and
safety, and work.
-motor subdomain required for birth-5, optional for 5-89
F. General adaptive composite score of the composite scores for the
conceptual, social, and practical domains, and scaled scores for the 10 skills
areas.
G. Report Forms
1. Parent/Caregiver
2. Teacher
3. Adult
V. Scales of Independent Behavior
A. assesses functional independence and adaptive functioning across
settings – school, home, employment, and community
B. designed for individual evaluation, individualized program planning,
selection, placement, and service needs
C. Administration-checklist or structured interview
D. Scoring and Rating –Scaled Scores
1. Adaptive Behavior Full Scale score
-rated based on the extent to which the individual performs a task
completely and independently
2. Problem Behavior Scale score
- rated based on the frequency and severity of each behavior
3. Support Scale score
-approximate level of support needed for student
to be independent in different areas
VI. Vineland-II
purpose is to assess the social abilities of an individual preschool-18 years old
A. measures five domains: Communication, Daily Living Skills, Socialization, Motor Skills, and Maladaptive Behavior domains.
1. Communication Domain-receptive, expressive, and written communication skills
2. Daily Living Skills Domain- personal behavior, domestic and community interaction skills
3. Socialization Domain - play and leisure time, interpersonal relationships, and coping skills
4. Motor Skills Domain- gross and fine motor skills
5. Maladaptive Behavior- optional, measures undesired behavior
B. Administration
-questionnaire- through semi-structured interview
-Three Versions of the forms
1. Survey Form –297 items distributed over the four domains,
parents or primary caregivers answer item, (20min-1hour)
2. · Expanded Form – useful to teachers for IEP planning,
577 items, (60 to 90 minutes)
3. Classroom Edition – 244 items about child’s adaptive
behavior inside the classroom., teacher completes form