Chapter 4 - Communication Skills

Abstract

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.