Categorizing behavior in terms of severity: considerations for part two of Adaptive Behavior Scale.

Forty-five respondents were asked to rate the items in the Violent and Destructive Behavior domain from Part Two of the AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale on a 1 (not very severe) to 4 (extremely severe) scale. In addition, they were asked to assign the items to one of five categories based on the effects of the behavior on the environment. There was considerable agreement concerning both the severity and the appropriate category for each item. Suggestions for revision of Part Two, including the need for a weighting system and more precise definitions of the behavior items, were discussed.