What is the benefit of doing an adaptive behavior test?

Question

My son has an intellectual disability (hes 13) just started high school in an education support unit. He has been in mainstream for all his primary schooling. He is having some problems adjusting to the new setting and has been presenting some very challenging behaviours. The school psych has requested we get an adaptive behaviour (Vineland) assessment done on him but cant tell me what benefit it will be to him. Could some please clarify it for me. Thanks

Answer 1

I fill these out all the time on my students. At my school we use them when we think that there may be a chance of mental retardation (please don't jump all over me for that... where I am that is the politically correct term). These usually go hand in hand with the regular I.Q. testing. However often times these kids just don't test well... and it may not be an accurate representation as to what your son is truly capable of.

The Vinland is a questionnaire for the teacher, parent and other people. It is filled out in a number scale... 0, 1, 2. Basically stating that 0 they can't do it, 1 they do it sometimes or sometimes independently, and 2 that they can do it all on their own with out assistance.

This is a way to give your son credit for what he can do that the I.Q. test won't let him show... it is the least invasive of all the academic tests. This also gives the school a place to start when adapting the curriculum for the student to help them get the most out of the school.

I am not a strong supporter of school psych... I always advise parents to get their own independent testing done (I am in NY and the laws may be different were you are... but they have to take outside testing results in to consideration when doing planning).
So your Psych may not be able to explain the Vinland they just might know they need to give it.

I hope this helps you

And good luck.

Answer 2

In testing someone for intellectual disabilities you consider I.Q. and adaptive skills (Vineland is what everyone uses). If someone has a lower IQ and higher adaptive skills, even though they may be considered, say, trainably mentally handicapped according to IQ, their good adaptive skills may allow them to perform in the educable range. My guess is that it is time for your son's reevaluation (happens every 3 years...check your IEP for the date). It may have been a while since he's had any formal testing and they want to assess him. If it's NOT reeval time, my guess would be they are trying to determine if he's appropriately placed. Unless he's pursuing regular diploma, there's not much reason to mainstream him except for electives....he will be missing out on his math/reading needs. Now that he's moved to high school, the setting and the harder benchmarks may be too hard in the particular class where they've placed him (thus, the behavior) and he might be less frustrated/better served in a different special ed. class...........sorry about any acronyms...depends what state you live in as to what the classes are called. Since he's now 13, you will decide on his next IEP if he is going to pursue a regular diploma (based on what you said above, I would doubt it) or a special diploma......If he's pursuing a special diploma, the outcome will be the same whether he's in EMH or TMH class and I'd forget about labels or stigma and place him where he will feel happiest and most successful and be able to attain the goals you have for him AFTER graduation....in this case, I'd think vocational school or a job. Good luck.

Answer 3

Properly done, this kind of testing is a way of assesing your son's ability to adapt to (learn) new behaviors--especially social behaviors.

However, I would exercise caution. If your son has been making reasonably good progressup till now (meaning ability to master and retain material, even in a more limited way) that should be expected to continue, once the behavior problems have been dealt with. If the testsing shows anything radically different, get an outside test done by an independant professional.

Keep in mind that what you are dealing with is a young person who is reacting to an unfamilieer--and is undoubtedly nervous, even scared--just as anyone might be. What this kind of test is designed to do is help identify his strong and weak points in the area of coping with such situations--so as to "help him over the hump." Which is pretty clearly a real benefit.

Answer 4

These test will access his learning ability. High school will present more challenges and if he is placed in a different setting than his friend he may be embarrassed. By testing him he can be better placed and be educated in a different way. I am going to guess that they are looking for reasons for personality changes.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

To determine how adaptive your behavior is.