Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Third Edition (ABAS-3)

Patti Harrison, PhD, Thomas Oakland, PhD

Widely used to evaluate people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the ABAS-3 assesses adaptive behaviour in individuals from birth to 89 years of age. This convenient behaviour rating scale measures daily living skills--what people actually do, or can do, without the assistance of others. It is particularly useful in evaluating individuals with developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, learning disabilities, neuropsychological disorders and sensory or physical impairments.

The ABAS-3 can be used to:

• Assess adaptive behaviour skills
• Assist in identifying various developmental, learning and behavioural disabilities or disorders
• Identifying strengths and weaknesses for daily functional skills
• Develop intervention plans and goals
• Monitor progress over time

• Facilitate research and programme evaluations

Measuring adaptive skills is important whenever a disorder or other condition affects daily functioning. Whether trying to identify the best learning environment for a child or ensure that an older person can live independently, the ABAS-3 provides the information needed to make appropriate clinical decisions and design effective intervention. Its applications are almost endless.

The ABAS-3 includes updated norms and item content as well as simplified administration and interpretation. It assesses 11 essential skill areas within 3 major adaptive domains: Conceptual, Social and Practical.

Skill areas include:

• Communication
• Community Use
• Functional Academics
• Health and Safety
• Home or School Living
• Leisure
• Self-care
• Self-direction
• Social
• Work

• Motor

Multiple Raters, Different Perspectives

The ABAS-3 includes five rating forms, each for a specific age range and rater:

• Parent/Primary Caregiver Form (Ages 0–5)
• Teacher/Daycare Provider Form (Ages 2–5)
• Parent Form (Ages 5–21)
• Teacher Form (Ages 5–21)
• Adult Form (Ages 16–89)

Parents, family members, teachers, daycare staff, supervisors, counselors, or others who are familiar with the daily activities of the individual being evaluated can complete these forms. In addition, the Adult Form can be administered as a self-report. The items may be read aloud to raters who have low sight or reading skills.

Although it’s possible to evaluate adaptive skills using only a single rater, gathering ratings from several people will provide a more complete assessment. Multiple ratings show how the individual performs in various settings. When different forms are used by different raters to evaluate an individual’s adaptive skills, a comparative report can be generated to show areas that warrant further attention.

Scoring

The Paper-and-Pencil Forms have been redesigned and are even easier to use than preceding editions of the ABAS. Scoring is quick, by hand or using desktop software. The Unlimited-Use Scoring Assistant and Intervention Planner Software generates a narrative interpretation of all scores, strengths and needs analysis, composite score discrepancy analysis, and more.

The ABAS-3 is aligned with the DSM-5. It generates norm-referenced scaled scores and test-age equivalents for the 11 skill areas. It also provides standard scores, confidence intervals, and percentile ranks for the three broad adaptive domains and the summary score—the General Adaptive Composite. In addition, all scores can be categorized descriptively (Extremely Low, Low, Below Average, Average, Above Average, High).

Beyond Measure: Create Effective Intervention Plans Based on ABAS-3 Results

Create and achieve therapeutic goals with the ABAS-3 Intervention Planner™. Available in two formats— software, and print—it allows users to create a customized therapy plan based on adaptive skill area deficits identified by the ABAS-3. The Intervention Planner offers:

• Simple, straightforward intervention activities for each ABAS-3 item across all forms
• Developmentally appropriate strategies to help improve functioning at home, school, work, and in the community
• Versatile activities that can be used with an individual, a small group, or in the classroom
• Suggestions for guiding teacher and family involvement in intervention programs
• Progress Monitoring Report for online and software formats

The Intervention Planner is included in all ABAS-3 kits and may be purchased separately in print.

Kits

The following kits in Paper-and-Pencil format are available:

Comprehensive Kit (Ages 0-89) includes: 5 Parent/Primary Caregiver Forms, 5 Teacher/Daycare Provider Forms, 5 Parent Forms, 5 Teacher Forms, 5 Adult Forms, Manual, Intervention Planner.

Infant and Preschool Kit (Ages 0-5) includes: 25 Parent/Primary Caregiver Forms, 25 Teacher/Daycare Provider Forms, Manual, Intervention Planner.

School Kit (Ages 5-21) includes: 25 Parent Forms, 25 Teacher Forms, Manual, Intervention Planner.

Adult Kit (Ages 16-89) includes: 25 Adult Forms, Manual, Intervention Planner.

These kits are also available with Software. The Software Kits include the Unlimited-Use Scoring Assistant and Intervention Planner Software (CD and USB Key). Requires Windows 8, 7, or Vista.