title: Development and Standardization of the Diagnostic Adaptive Behavior Scale: Application of Item Response Theory to the Assessment of Adaptive Behavior.
abstract: The Diagnostic Adaptive Behavior Scale (DABS) was developed using item response theory (IRT) methods and was constructed to provide the most precise and valid adaptive behavior information at or near the cutoff point of making a decision regarding a diagnosis of intellectual disability. The DABS initial item pool consisted of 260 items. Using IRT modeling and a nationally representative standardization sample, the item set was reduced to 75 items that provide the most precise adaptive behavior information at the cutoff area determining the presence or not of significant adaptive behavior deficits across conceptual, social, and practical skills. The standardization of the DABS is described and discussed.
authors.affiliation: Marc J. Tassé, The Ohio State University;
authors.forename: Marc J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Tassé
authors.affiliation: Robert L. Schalock, Hastings College;
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Schalock
authors.affiliation: David Thissen, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill;
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thissen
authors.affiliation: Giulia Balboni, University of Pisa (Italy);
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Balboni
authors.affiliation: Henry (Hank) Bersani, Jr., † Western Oregon University;
authors.forename: Henry Hank
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Bersani
authors.affiliation: Sharon A. Borthwick-Duffy, University of California - Riverside;
authors.forename: Sharon A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Borthwick-Duffy
authors.affiliation: Scott Spreat, Woodland Center for Challenging Behaviors;
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spreat
authors.affiliation: Keith F. Widaman, University of California - Riverside;
authors.forename: Keith F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Widaman
authors.affiliation: Dalun Zhang, Texas A&M University; and.
authors.forename: Dalun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Patricia Navas, University of Zaragoza (Spain).
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Navas
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011594:Psychometrics; D066107:Social Skills; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: adaptive behavior; diagnosis; intellectual disability; item response theory