Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice ›› 2024, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (3): 249-256.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2024.03.001

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Research on content and psychometric properties of evaluations of functioning and adaptive behaviors in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in educational settings using ICF

ZHANG Qing1,2(), SUN Jiangang1,2, YANG Hongrong1,2, GAO Shaoyu3, WU Aihong1,2, WANG Yongli4   

  1. 1. Department of Education Rehabilitation, Special Education School, Handan University, Handan, Hebei 056005, China
    2. Hebei Special Education Collaborative Innovation Center, Handan, Hebei 056005, China
    3. Development Planning Division, Handan University, Handan, Hebei 056005, China
    4. Department of Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
  • Received:2024-02-03 Published:2024-03-25 Online:2024-04-01
  • Contact: ZHANG Qing E-mail:zhangqing555@126.com
  • Supported by:
    Hebei Provincial Social Science Fund(HB19YY020)

Abstract:

Objective To explore the content and the psychometric properties of assessment tools used for evaluating functioning and adaptive behavior in school-age children with intellectual and developmental disabilities within educational settings.

Methods The most used assessment tools included Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS), Supports Intensity Scale for Children (SIS-C), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R), for assessing functioning and adaptive behavior children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Employing the framework and methods of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), this research encoded and categorized the assessment dimensions and items of the four tools, and explored their psychometric properties.

Results VABS's assessment content was solely focused on activities and participation, including speaking (d330), conversation (d350), toileting (d530), eating (d550), drinking (d560), basic interpersonal interactions (d710), complex interpersonal interactions (d720), changing and maintaining body positions (d410-d429), carrying, moving and handing objects (d430-d449), and walking and moving (d450-d469). SIS-C assessed activities and participation, and environmental factors, including washing oneself (d510), caring for body parts (d520), community life (d910), using transportation (d470), school education (d820), basic learning (d130-d159), looking after one's health (d570), basic interpersonal interactions (d710), and products and technology for education (e130). SDQ focused on body functions, and activities and participation, including emotional functions (b152), global psychosocial functions (b122), attention functions (b140), and basic interpersonal interactions (d710). RBS-R focused on body functions, and activities and participation, including involuntary movement reaction functions (b755), involuntary movement functions (b765), looking after one's health (d570), energy and drive functions (b130), undertaking a single task (d210), carrying out daily routine (d230), attention functions (b140), and handling stress and other psychological demands (d240). VABS was characterized by good specificity and excellent sensitivity. SIS-C demonstrated very good internal consistency, reliability and validity. SDQ was good in internal consistency, with excellent credibility and validity. RBS-R showed good internal consistency, reliability and validity.

Conclusion SDQ and RBS-R cover both body functions, and activities and participation, SIS-C covers activity and participation, and environmental factors, while VABS solely assesses activities and participation. In terms of body functions, the assessment items primarily focus on mental functions (b130-b189) and movement functions (b750-b799). For activities and participation, the tools assess content across eight domains of functioning. Regarding environmental factors, the assessment content mainly includes products and technology for education (e130), as well as design, construction and building products and technology of buildings for public use (e150). VABS, SIS-C, SDQ, and RBS-R are all norm-referenced measures, with moderate to excellent internal consistency, and good to excellent reliability and validity.

Key words: intellectual and developmental disabilities, functioning, adaptive behavior, psychometric properties, assessment tool

CLC Number: