Using the ABAS-II with elementary and middle school students

The Adaptive Behavior Assessment System-II (ABAS-II) has made great contributions to the assessment of the adaptive behaviors of elementary and middle school children by providing a pair of rating scales that are well normed and psychometrically sound for this age group. The ABAS-II Parent Form and Teacher Form also have evidenced strong psychometric properties by meeting or exceeding many published criteria for reliability and validity. The scores that stem from the greatest number of items tend to be the most reliable. ABAS-II item content is based on careful review of recent diagnostic classification systems research, and items are selected for inclusion based on both manifest and empirical criteria. ABAS-II has met its design goals and produced instruments that are both easy to administer and score as well as linked to the standard diagnostic nomenclature for assessment of mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved