Daily Living (Adaptive) Tests
Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Second Edition (ABAS-II)
This norm-referenced assessment is used to measure adaptive skills for individuals from birth to 89 years of age. The assessment is completed through ratings forms which can be completed by parents, teachers, or self-reports for adults. Results of this assessment provide information on an individual’s communication, academics, self-direction, self-care, school and community living, health and safety, and social and leisure behaviors and skills. An overall summary of the individual’s adaptive skills can also be obtained.
-Patti Harrison, PhD, Thomas Oakland, PhD
Scales of Independent Behavior – Revised (SIB-R)
This norm-referenced assessment tool provides comprehensive information on individuals’ adaptive abilities and maladaptive behaviors across multiple everyday settings. It can be administered to individuals’ aged 0 to 80 years of age in the form of a structured interview or checklist.The SIB-R offers convenient test flexibility with multiple forms available for administration including a Full Scale, Short Form, and Early Development Form. Individual’s information is provided in the areas of independence, motor skills, social interaction and communication, and personal and community living skills. Maladaptive behaviors can also be identified in the areas of internalizing, externalizing, and asocial. Standard scores with a mean of 100 and standard deviation of 15 and corresponding percentiles are utilized. Age equivalent scores are also available for comparison by age. A combination measure of both Adaptive and Problem behaviors provides a Support Score which ranges from 0 to 100 and indicates the level of support an individual may need. Other scores include a Maladaptive Index Score which ranges from +5 to -70 with an average of 0 and standard deviation of 10. More negative scores indicate that more serious behavior problems are present.
-Robert H. Bruininks, Richard W. Woodcock, Richard F. Weatherman, Bradley K. Hill
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition (Vineland-II)
This assessment tool measures adaptive behaviors from birth to 90 years of age. It is administered as a survey interview forms which can be provided to the individual, parents or caregivers, and teachers. Information on the individual’s communication, socialization, daily living skills, and motor skills are all provided as well. Psychologists use the Vineland to determine individuals’ practical, everyday skills needed to function in the world and how they compare to individuals of similar age. Overall the VABS-II contains 11 sub-domains which are grouped into the four broad domains above. Numerous scores are utilized and include raw scores, standard scores, stanines, v-scale scores, adaptive levels, age equivalents, and percentiles. Each sub-domain uses a v-scale score which are summed to yield respective composite scores.
-Sara S. Sparrow, PhD, Domenic V. Cicchetti, PhD, David A. Balla