Essentials of DAS-II Assessment
Chapter One
OVERVIEW
The Differential Ability Scales-Second Edition (DAS-II; Elliott, 2007a),
developed and standardized in the United States, is a modern psychological
assessment instrument with a longer history than its publication date
would suggest (see Rapid Reference 1.1). It is based upon its predecessor, the
Differential Ability Scales (DAS; Elliott, 1990a, 1990b), which had as its origin
the British Ability Scales (BAS; Elliott, 1983). As its name suggests, the DAS-II
was developed with a primary focus on specific cognitive abilities rather than on
general "intelligence."
STRUCTURE OF THE DAS
The DAS-II consists of a cognitive battery of 20 subtests, covering an age range
of 2 years, 6 months through 17 years, 11 months (2:6 through 17:11). The battery
is divided into two overlapping age levels: (1) The Early Years battery is
normed from age 2:6 through 8:11, with a usual age range of 2:6 through 6:11;
(2) The School-Age battery is normed from age 5:0 through 17:11, and has a
usual age range of 7:0 through 17:11. With thos ... read full excerpt from: Essentials of DAS-II Assessment ebook
