Adaptive behavior and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Adaptive Behavior is a construct originally invented as a prong for diagnosing Mental Retardation, but it has come to also play a role in diagnosing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). In this paper, we: (a) describe the meaning and measurement of adaptive behavior, including the need for improved measures (b) illustrate clinical and research uses of the construct, in establishing the diagnosis and behavioral profile of people who have FASD and (c) discuss the forensic uses of adaptive behavior for people with FASD in establishing a mitigation case in criminal proceedings, including possible extension of Atkins (death penalty exemption) protection for people with organic impairments who function just as if they have mental retardation in spite of possessing IQ scores in the borderline range.