ICF-CY based assessment tool for children with autism

Abstract

Purpose: The objectives of this study was to develop an International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-Children and Youth (ICF-CY) based questionnaire for children with autism, investigate the inter-rater reliability of the questionnaire and assess functional performance in children with autism. Method: The ICF-CY based questionnaire for children with autism comprised 118 items was designed with reference the ICF-CY structure. The study protocol was divided into two parts. In the first part, the inter-rater reliability of the questionnaire was investigated using information from 26 children (aged 3–6 years) with autism and using the intra-class correlation coefficients to estimate reliability. The second part of the study aimed to assess functional performance of another independent sample (136 children, aged 3–6 years) utilizing the questionnaire. Mean scores were compared by nonparametric statistic. Results: The inter-rater reliability for each domains of the questionnaire was found to be moderate to high (intra-class correlation coefficients ranged from 0.72 to 0.97). Children with autism had major problems in voice and speech functions. They had high dependency when executing individual activities of learning and applied knowledge. They also required maximal assistance while engaging in social activities related to conversation and major life categories. Conclusions: This preliminary study shows that ICF-CY based questionnaire has good reliability and can reflect the functional profile of preschool children with autism. However, further study is needed to confirm other psychometric characteristics.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• The ICF-CY provides a comprehensive overview of functioning and constitutes a universal language for interdisciplinary work with children.

• Children with autism had major problems in voice and speech functions.

• The questionnaire is suitable for use in evaluating a heterogeneous group of children with autism.

Keywords::

• Autism
• children
• ICF-CY
• international classification of functioning
• disability and health – children and youth

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the children and their caregivers for their participation in our study and the physical therapists who kindly provided assistance with data collection.

Declaration of Interest: All authors state that they have no commercial, financial or personal relationships which could lead to a conflict of interest that could inappropriately influence (bias) their work. The sponsors of the research grant had no involvement in the study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication. This study was partially supported by research grants from the National Science Council, Taiwan (NSC 96–2314-B-040-010-MY3).