Adaptive Behavior

• Survival: behaviors that allow individuals to continue to live by avoiding dangers and by taking reasonable precautions to ensure their safety.

• Thriving: behaviors that allow individuals to thrive in both good and adverse times.

Adaptive behavior

• Adaptive behavior is – an appropriate response to the demands of the

immediate environment– appropriate responses to probable future

environments

• Adaptive Behavior takes into account– demands of a person’s physical surroundings– cultural

Adaptive Behavior

• Adaptive behavior – varies with Age– Is performance rather than ability

Maladaptive Behavior

• What makes a behavior maladaptive?– Consequences– Context– Frequency and Amplitude– Status of person being assessed

Assessing Adaptive Behavior

• Role of the “Respondent”• Typical behavior v. Ability to behave• Threats to valid assessment

Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition

• Behavior Sampled on Parent/Caregiver Form– Communication– Daily living skills– Social skills and relationships– Physical activity– Maladaptive behavior, part I– Maladaptive behavior, part 2

Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition

• Behavior Sampled on Survey Form– Communication– Daily living skills– Socialization– Motor skills– Maladaptive behavior

Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition

• Scores– Individual items on a 4-point scale– V-scores (mean = 10, SD = 3)– Normalized standard scores (mean = 100, SD = 15)

• Technical adequacy

Adaptive Behavior

• Why Assess it– Identification of mental retardation– Program planning

• Dilemmas– No consensus definition of the domain– Poor norms are often a problem– Lack of agreement among raters

Adaptive Behavior

• Why Assess it– Identification of mental retardation– Program planning

• Dilemmas– No consensus definition of the domain– Poor norms are often a problem– Lack of agreement among raters