[Adaptive behavior scale for persons with severe physical and mental disability].

An adaptive behavior scale for persons with severe physical and mental disability was proposed. This scale consisted of 43 items from five areas; interpersonal relationship, perception, expression, interest and play, and daily life. Each item was scored on a 0-2 scale. Eighty-two persons (52 males, 30 females) with severe physical and mental disability, aged 1-49 (mean 20.2) years, were examined with this scale. They were institutionalized or attended a day care center. The rating for each item was 1.60-0.09 (mean 0.75). The Cronbach's alpha value was calculated to be 0.95, indicating good internal consistency. For 39 persons attending a center, estimates were consistent between the mother and care staff on only 61% of the items, showing insufficient inter-rater reliability. On the whole, this scale is useful in assessing adaptive behaviors of the subjects.