Linking autism measures with the ICF-CY: functionality beyond the borders of diagnosis and interrater agreement issues

Dev Neurorehabil. 2013 Oct;16(5):321-31. doi: 10.3109/17518423.2012.733438. Epub 2013 Jul 19.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to: (1) link measurements used in the diagnosis of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health - Children and Youth Version (ICF-CY) and (2) analyse issues relating with interrater agreement within this process.

Method: Three instruments for ASD diagnosis were linked with the ICF-CY using deductive content analysis.

Results: Correspondences between items' content and ICF-CY dimensions were identified for all ICF-CY components, except for environmental factors. Interrater agreement varied with the content of the units analyzed.

Conclusion: The linkage between the ICF-CY and the analyzed measures provides a way to document assessment-intervention outcomes using a common language, as well as to integrate diagnostic and functional data. Diagnostic measurements provide functional information beyond the diagnostic criteria defined for autism. A functional perspective is added to diagnostic outcomes, thus better informing educational and rehabilitation practices for children with ASD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / diagnosis*
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / physiopathology
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / rehabilitation*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • International Classification of Diseases*
  • Male
  • Reproducibility of Results