Chapter 20 - Assessment of Adaptive Behavior in Adult Forensic Cases: The Use of the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System-II

Abstract

Information about adaptive behavior is critical to the determination of mental retardation in Atkins hearings and in determining competence or level of functioning in other legal proceedings. Current, widely accepted standards for the diagnosis of mental retardation, for psychological assessment, and for ethical practice form a foundation for practice. On this foundation, the Supreme Court has required in Atkins that states establish procedures for a fair and scientifically sound diagnosis of mental retardation. This chapter describes the challenges of carrying out such an assessment and reaching a valid conclusion. These challenges can be addressed through careful and thorough assessment that relies on the best available procedures and instruments. The Adaptive Behavior Assessment System-II (ABAS-II) offers some unique features that contribute essential information to the assessment of adaptive behavior. The careful use of the ABAS-II provides information that can be integrated with other sources of adaptive behavior information to yield valid conclusions that are respected in the courts and are much preferred to less systematic and less scientific methods.