Communication Skills

Communication is a skill that influences the adaptive ability of an individual in every facet of life. The Adaptive Behavior Assessment System-II (ABAS-II) is designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of adaptive functioning and an assessment of the degree to which individuals, ages 0-89, independently display functional skills in everyday living. It assesses 10 adaptive skill areas, including communication, emphasizing the importance of this adaptive skill area. The communication items of the ABAS-II allow evaluators to assess the areas of receptive language, expressive language, and nonverbal communication and the use of these adaptive skills in everyday situations. This chapter provides a discussion of the ABAS-II as it relates to communication. A brief discussion of the definition and measurement of the communication adaptive skill area of the ABAS-II, additional communication assessments, and interventions connected to the ABAS-II and other assessments are provided. Finally, a case study example using the ABAS-II is also discussed. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved