Article

The purpose of this study was to create and validate the Communication
Function Classification System (CFCS) for children with cerebral palsy (CP), for
use by a wide variety of individuals who are interested in CP. This paper reports
the content validity, interrater reliability, and test-retest reliability of the
CFCS for children with CP. METHOD: An 11-member development team created
comprehensive descriptions of the CFCS levels, and four nominal groups comprising
27 participants critiqued these levels. Within a Delphi survey, 112 participants
commented on the clarity and usefulness of the CFCS. Interrater reliability was
completed by 61 professionals and 68 parents/relatives who classified 69 children
with CP aged 2 to 18 years. Test-retest reliability was completed by 48
professionals who allowed at least 2 weeks between classifications. The
participants who assessed the CFCS were all relevant stakeholders: adults with
CP, parents of children with CP, educators, occupational therapists, physical
therapists, physicians, and speech-language pathologists. RESULTS: The interrater
reliability of the CFCS was 0.66 between two professionals and 0.49 between a
parent and a professional. Professional interrater reliability improved to 0.77
for classification of children older than 4 years. The test-retest reliability
was 0.82. INTERPRETATION: The CFCS demonstrates content validity and shows very
good test-retest reliability, good professional interrater reliability, and
moderate parent-professional interrater reliability. Combining the CFCS with the
Gross Motor Function Classification System and the Manual Ability Classification
System contributes to a functional performance view of daily life for individuals
with CP, in accordance with the World Health Organization's International
Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.
CI - (c) The Authors. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology (c) 2011 Mac Keith
Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS