Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System (ABAS-III)

The Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System, Third  Edition (ABAS-III) is a multidimensional and standardised assessment tool used to assess the functional skills necessary for the daily living of individuals from birth to 89 years of age.

Skills assessed with ABAS-III

• Communication: speech-language and communication skills needed for communication with others
• Community use: skills needed for functioning in the community
• Functional academics: functional pre-academics and academics
• School/home living: skills needed for basic care in a home/living or school/classroom setting
• Health and safety: skills needed for the protection of health and to respond to illness and injury
• Leisure: skills needed for engaging in and planning leisure and recreational activities
• Self-care: skills needed for personal care
• Self-direction: skills needed for independence, responsibility and self-control
• Social: skills needed to interact socially and get along with other people
• Motor: basic fine and gross motor skills needed for locomotion, manipulation of the environment and development of more complex activities
• Work: skills needed for successful functioning and holding a part- or full-time job in a work setting

The ABAS-III includes five rating forms to be completed by a Parent/Primary Caregiver (ages 0-5), Parent Form (ages 5-21), Teacher/Daycare Provider Form (ages 2-5), Teacher Form (ages 5-21) and Adult Form (ages 16-89).

Information obtained from the ABAS-III is used by psychologists to aid with the diagnosis of disabilities and disorders, identify strengths and weaknesses, and document and monitor an individual’s progress over time.