APA Dictionary of Psychology

an assessment of four domains of personal and social functioning—communication, daily living skills, socialization, and motor skills—in individuals with dementia, brain injury, intellectual developmental disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. A modification and replacement of the Vineland Social Maturity Scale developed in 1936 by Edgar A. Doll, the VABS currently contains items for individuals ranging in age from infancy to 90 years. Data are gathered through a rating form or semistructured interview with each individual’s parents or caregivers. The scales are used not only to diagnose and evaluate the individual but also to formulate educational and treatment (habilitative or rehabilitative) programs. The VABS was originally published in 1984; the most recent version is the VABS–II, published in 2005. [originally developed by psychologists Sara S. Sparrow (1933–2010), David A. Balla, and Domenic V. Cicchetti (1937–  )]