DABS - correlation between adaptive behavior and intelligence

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.