Adaptive Behavior Scale: development as a diagnostic tool via discriminant analysis

The multidimensional nature of behavior often causes a dilemma for the diagnostician who must interpret inconsistent behavior. Three classifications of 6- through 12-year-old children were evaluated on the public school version of the Adaptive Behavior Scale by their teachers. Of the 388 nonretarded, 115 EMR, and 85 TMR children, 86 percent were correctly identified via 12-variable classification functions. The results indicate that further development of an adaptive behavior instrument would be desirable as a cost-efficient and powerful diagnostic tool.