Technical Support for ASEBA® Software Products
How do the OASR and OABCL differ from the ASR and ABCL?
Answer: The ASR and ABCL are designed and normed for ages 18 to 59. The ASR has adaptive functioning questions about how well the respondent gets along with his/her siblings, parents, and children. It also has questions about performance in paid jobs held during the preceding 6 months and in educational programs attended during the preceding 6 months. Because these areas are less relevant for most older adults, they are not included on the older adult forms. The problem items on pages 2 and 3 of the older adult forms also differ from those on the ASR and ABCL with respect to inclusion of items that are more specific to older adults, as well as omission of items that are more specific to ages 18 to 59. In addition, the older adult forms have a Personal Strengths scale scored from 20 items that are interspersed among the problem items. The ASR and ABCL have some socially desirable items that are not scored on scales. The following older adult syndromes do not have counterparts among the syndromes scored for ages 18 to 59: Worries; Functional Impairment; Memory/Cognition Problems; and Irritable/Disinhibited. The older adult Dementia Problems and Psychotic Problems DSM-oriented scales do not have counterparts on the scales scored for ages18 to 59.