The ABAS-3 combines all-new norms with updated item content to create the leading adaptive skills assessment. Retaining all features that made the second edition the preferred instrument for evaluating adaptive behavior, the ABAS-3 is even easier to administer and score. Comprehensive, convenient, and cost-effective, this behavior rating scale measures daily living skills—what people actually do, or can do, without assistance from others. It is particularly useful for evaluating those with developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, learning disabilities, neuropsychological disorders, and sensory or physical impairments.
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.
Skills and Domains Consistent with AAIDD, DSM-5, IDEA, and RTI Guidelines
The ABAS-3 covers three broad adaptive domains: Conceptual, Social, and Practical. Within these domains, it assesses 11 adaptive skill areas (each form assesses 9 or 10 skill areas based on age range). Items focus on practical, everyday activities required to function, meet environmental demands, care for oneself, and interact with others effectively and independently. On a four-point response scale, raters indicate whether the individual can perform each activity, and if so, how frequently they perform it when needed.
The ABAS-3 is aligned with the AAIDD, DSM-5, and IDEA specifications, and works well within an RTI context. 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).
Inform Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
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.
No matter the setting, the age of the individual, or the nature of his or her limitations, the ABAS-3 can help clinicians:
- Assess adaptive skills
- Diagnose and classify disabilities and disorders
- Identify strengths and weaknesses
- Document and monitor progress over time
- Develop treatment plans and training goals
- Determine eligibility for services and disability benefits
- Evaluate capability to live or work independently
This versatile instrument lets clinicians gather information from several raters in different settings to obtain a broad view of an individual’s functional skills. The ABAS-3 conforms to AAIDD, DSM-5, IDEA, and RTI specifications, so you can use it with confidence.
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