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Adaptive Behavior Assessment System (ABAS-3)
Birth to 89 years
The Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Third Edition, is a rating-scale measure of adaptive functioning covering birth to 89 years. It is also searched for as the ABAS-3 assessment and the adaptive behaviour rating scale.
Like the Vineland-3, it describes how a person copes with the everyday demands of life. It is organised differently, and which one a psychologist selects depends on the referral question and who is available to complete it.
What does the ABAS-3 measure?
The ABAS-3 reports eleven skill areas grouped into three composites, which combine into a General Adaptive Composite.
- Conceptual. Communication, functional academics and self-direction.
- Social. Leisure and social skills.
- Practical. Community use, home or school living, health and safety, self-care and where relevant work.
The three-domain structure maps directly onto the way intellectual disability criteria are written, which is one reason it is often chosen where that is the diagnostic question.
ABAS-3 or Vineland-3?
Both are well validated and both are accepted as evidence. The practical differences are that the ABAS-3 is a rating form throughout, which makes it quicker and easier to send to a teacher or a second informant, while the Vineland-3 offers a semi-structured interview format that draws out more detail.
Where a nuanced picture is needed and time allows, the Vineland interview is often more informative. Where multiple informants across settings are needed, the ABAS-3 is usually more practical. Some assessments use both.
Who completes it?
A parent or caregiver, a teacher or daycare provider, or for adults the person themselves or someone who knows them well. Forms are matched to age and to the relationship of the informant.
As with any informant measure, the result reflects that person's observation of that setting. Collecting more than one perspective is usually worth the extra effort.
Not sure which assessment you need?
Our assessment pathway tool asks a few questions and points you to the right starting place. Or speak with our team about what would answer your question.
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This page is general information about an assessment instrument and is not clinical advice. Whether a particular assessment is appropriate depends on the individual and the question being asked.