DABS - correlation between adaptive behavior and intelligence

Adaptive behavior and intelligence are both essential components of defining and diagnosing intellectual disability. The exact relationship between these two constructs still warrants some clarification. Previous studies have examined the correlation between adaptive behavior and intelligence and have reported differing results. Overall, there seems to be agreement that a modest to moderate correlation exists between adaptive behavior and intelligence and that the strength of this relationship increases as ability level decreases further below the population mean. Using the Diagnostic Adaptive Behavior Scale and a sample of youth with and without intellectual disability aged from 4 to 21 years old, we examined the correlation coefficients between their full-scale IQ scores and their scores obtained on conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills domain scores. The results obtained indicated a modest to moderate correlation between adaptive behavior and intelligence. The strongest statistically significant correlation coefficient was between the full-scale IQ score and the conceptual adaptive skills domain score (r = .64). The correlation between the full-scale IQ score and the practical adaptive skills domain (r = .39) and social adaptive skills domain (r = .28 ns) were more modest. These findings are consistent with previous research, documenting that adaptive behavior and intelligence are two related but independent constructs. We discuss these findings and their implications.