Classification of functioning and impairment
The development of ICF core sets for autism spectrum disorder
Given the variability seen in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), accurate quantification of functioning is vital to studying outcome and quality of life in affected individuals. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (
ICF) provides a comprehensive, universally accepted framework for the description of health-related functioning.
ICF Core Sets are shortlists of
ICF categories that are selected to capture those aspects of functioning that are most relevant when describing a person with a specific condition. In this paper, the authors preview the process for developing
ICF Core Sets for ASD, a collaboration with the World Health Organization and the
ICF Research Branch.
The
ICF Children and Youth version (
ICF-
CY) was derived from the
ICF and designed to capture the specific situation of the developing child. As ASD affects individuals throughout the life span, and the
ICF-
CY includes all
ICF categories, the
ICF-
CY will be used in this project ("
ICF(-CY)" from now on). The
ICF(-CY) categories to be included in the
ICF Core Sets for ASD will be determined at an
ICF Core Set Consensus Conference, where evidence from four preparatory studies (a systematic review, an expert survey, a patient and caregiver qualitative study, and a clinical cross-sectional study) will be integrated. Comprehensive and Brief
ICF Core Sets for ASD will be developed with the goal of providing useful standards for research and clinical practice and generating a common language for functioning and impairment in ASD in different areas of life and across the life span.
