The Adaptive Behavior Assessment System (ABAS) is a method for comprehensive measure individuals with an adaptive behavior scale. ABAS is specifically used for responses to daily demands, formulating treatment steps, eligibility for service and Social Security, assessing a list of impairments and the individuals ability to independently live.
The format for the test consists of several different forms: Parent Form (232 items), Teacher Form (193 items), and the Adult Form (239 items). A 4-point rating scale ranging from 0 = not able to 3 = always for responses. Completion time for respondents is approximately 15-20 minutes and should only be administered to individuals ranging between 0 and 89 years.
Authors: Harrison & Oakland, 2000
Reliability and Validity
Internal Consistency is extremely high for the GAC, adaptive domains, and each skill area. Reported test-retest coefficients for all subscales in the teacher form are above 0.90, along with its GAC (General Adaptive Composite. The Parent Form shows lower rating with its test-retest coefficient as 0.79 and a GAC of 0.96. The inter-rater reliability coefficient differentiated greatly between these two forms. Studies exploring correlations with the ABAS instrument are shown with the Vineland-Classroom Edition (0.75-0.84), Independent Behavior Revised, WISC-III, WAIS-III, WASI, Stanford Binet Fourth Edition, and the WIAT. A correlation rating of 0.82 was calculated with the Vineland composite and the Teacher Form GAC. Moderate rating were presented between the ABAS form and intelligence measures. Each form of the ABAS has shown strong sensitivity to a particular age and is suggested that participants remain in the recommended age range.
Where to Purchase
Instrument at Western Psychological Services
References
American Association on Mental Retardation. (1992). Mental retardation: Definition,
classification, and systems of support (9th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
American Association on Mental Retardation. (2002). Mental retardation: Definition,
classification, and systems of support (10th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental
disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental
disorders (4th ed., text revision). Washington, DC: Author.
Grossman, H. J. (Ed). (1983). Classification in mental retardation. Washington, DC:
American Association on Mental Deficiency.
Harrison, P. L., & Oakland, T. (2000). Adaptive Behavior Assessment System. San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.
Harrison, P. L., & Oakland, T. (2003). Adaptive Behavior Assessment System–Second
Edition. San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.
Heber, R. (1959). Modifications in the manual on terminology and classification in mental retardation (monograph suppl.). American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 64(2), 499– 500.
Individuals with Disabilities Act Amendments of 1997, 20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq
(Fed. Reg. 34, 1997).
Dissertations and Journals
Wei, Youhua, Oakland, Thomas, Algina, James (2008). Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis for the Adaptive Behavior Assessment Form. American Journal on Mental Retardation, v113, n3, 178-186.
Kay B. Stevens & J. Randall Price (2006). Adaptive Behavior, Mental Retardation, and the Death Penalty. Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice, Vol. 6, Issue 3, 1-29.
James R. Patton & Denis W. Keyes (2006). Death Penalty Issues Following Atkins. Exceptionality: A Special Education Journal, Vol.14, Issue 4, 237-255.
