Chapter 6 - Functional Academic Adaptive Skills

Abstract

Assessment of functional academic adaptive skills typically is included as part of a comprehensive assessment of adaptive behavior. This chapter provides guidelines for instruction and interventions for functional academic adaptive skills and methods for assessing these skills, including the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System-II (ABAS-II). The need for a functional academics curriculum that enables individuals with disabilities or other types of learning and behavioral difficulties to succeed in society is apparent. Functional academics are adaptive skills developed sufficiently to allow persons ages 5 and older to be successful in daily activities in and outside the school environment, to increase their independence, and to promote their ability to succeed in a less restrictive environment. A functional academic program utilizes instruction that results in the acquisition of reading, writing, and math adaptive skills at least at a basic level that enables a person to perform daily routines. Academic skills, to be functional and adaptive, must be relevant to an individual's lifestyle. They may display a degree of uniqueness.