Evaluation of an adaptive behaviour classification for mentally retarded adults.
Adaptive behaviour was assessed in a total of 119 mentally retarded adults by means of the Disability Assessment Schedule (DAS). According to a newly developed classification scheme, the level of handicap was graded on a four-step scale according to the subject's score in adaptive behaviour on the DAS; this was highly correlated both to the Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM)-IQ (r = 0.75) and the Columbia Mental Maturity (CMM) Scale (r = 0.77). The DAS classification was associated with relevant neuropsychiatric variables. The findings indicate that the DAS classification represents a practicable way for assessing the degree of handicap in mentally retarded adults and could be especially valuable in cases where intelligence testing proves impossible, as was the case for 45% (CPM) and 39% (CMM) of the present sample.
Meins
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W
Psychiatric Clinic, University of Hamburg, Germany.
Süssmann
D
D
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D007360:Intelligence; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012648:Self Care; D012720:Severity of Illness Index