Functional assessment of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder in Argentina: ICF-ASD multicenter study. / Evaluación funcional de niños, niñas y adolescentes con diagnóstico de trastorno del espectro autista en Argentina: estudio multicéntrico TEA-CIFunciona.

Introduction. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by difficulties in social communication and repetitive and stereotyped behaviors. In addition to the diagnostic category, the activities performed by children and adolescents and their social involvement are the main aspects to be considered according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) proposed by the World Health Organization to describe health status. In a previous study, we developed the first version of a pediatric tool based on the ICF called ICF-ASD for the functional assessment of children and adolescents with ASD to capture functional characteristics adapted to our cultural setting. Our subsequent objective was to apply the ICF-ASD in a multicenter format to assess children and adolescents from different regions, review, and update it, and identify barriers and facilitators. Population and methods. The ICF-ASD version 1.0 was administered to children and adolescents younger than 16 years with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD (as per DSM-5 criteria), who were receiving follow-up at 5 children's health centers across Argentina. Results. Version 2.0 of the ICF-ASD was obtained, which included 34 categories (10 under body function, 15 under activities and participation, and 9 under environmental factors). A functional profile was developed for the whole sample (n = 308). Conclusions. The updated version of the ICF-ASD helps to standardize and systematize the collection of necessary data for an adequate follow-up of children and adolescents with ASD at a national level. It also allows to identify barriers to overcome and facilitators to be generalized.

Introducción. El trastorno del espectro autista (TEA) se caracteriza por dificultades de comunicación social y comportamientos repetitivos y estereotipados. Además de la categoría diagnóstica, las actividades que los niños, niñas y adolescentes (NNyA) pueden realizar y la participación social son los aspectos principales por considerar desde el marco de la Clasificación Internacional del Funcionamiento, la Discapacidad y la Salud (CIF), propuesta por la Organización Mundial de la Salud, para describir los estados de salud. En una investigación previa, elaboramos la primera versión de una herramienta pediátrica basada en la CIF llamada TEA-CIFunciona para evaluación funcional de NNyA con diagnóstico de TEA, que permitió captar características funcionales adaptadas a nuestro contexto cultural. Se propuso como objetivo posterior aplicar TEA-CIFunciona en formato multicéntrico para evaluar NNyA de diferentes regiones, revisar y actualizar la herramienta, e identificar barreras y facilitadores. Población y métodos. Se administró TEA-CIFunciona versión 1.0 a NNyA con diagnóstico confirmado de TEA (según criterios del DSM-5), menores de 16 años, en seguimiento en cinco centros de atención pediátrica del país. Resultados. Se obtuvo la versión 2.0 de TEA-CIFunciona con 34 categorías (10 funciones corporales, 15 actividades y participación, y 9 factores ambientales). Se elaboró el perfil funcional de la muestra completa (n = 308). Conclusiones. La versión actualizada de TEA-CIFunciona contribuye a estandarizar y a sistematizar la obtención de información necesaria para adecuar el seguimiento de los NNyA con TEA a nivel nacional. Además, permite identificar barreras por superar y facilitadores para generalizar.

Equity in the participation of women in research: how to promote diversity and inclusion in science? / [Equidad en la participación de las mujeres en investigación: ¿Cómo fomentar diversidad e inclusión en la ciencia?]

Gender equality is achieved with equal access to knowledge. Women must have access to science. Scientific outcomes and research work are nourished by diversity and equal opportunities.

La igualdad de género se logra con acceso equitativo al conocimiento. Las mujeres deben tener acceso a la ciencia. La producción científica y la labor de investigación se nutren de la diversidad e igualdad de oportunidades.

Promoting Developmental Potential in Early Childhood: A Global Framework for Health and Education.

In the early years of life, children's interactions with the physical and social environment- including families, schools and communities-play a defining role in developmental trajectories with long-term implications for their health, well-being and earning potential as they become adults. Importantly, failing to reach their developmental potential contributes to global cycles of poverty, inequality, and social exclusion. Guided by a rights-based approach, this narrative review synthesizes selected studies and global initiatives promoting early child development and proposes a universal intervention framework of child-environment interactions to optimize children's developmental functioning and trajectories.

Assessment priorities in cerebral palsy using ICF core set by Iranian occupational therapists.

BACKGROUND.: International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) core set for cerebral palsy allows for the description of the levels of functioning in cerebral palsy. It is not exactly clear which of these levels is more important for evaluation from the perspective of occupational therapists in Iran. By identifying these priorities, we can establish a better plan for intervention. PURPOSE.: This study defines assessment priorities in children with cerebral palsy (<6 years). METHOD.: Sixty-two Iranian occupational therapists studied the priorities of assessment based on the Iranian ICF core set. The therapists were asked to rate the code categories from 1 to 3. The results are presented as mean values. FINDINGS.: Occupational therapists first focus on body functions assessment, then activities/participation, and ultimately, environmental factors. IMPLICATIONS.: Occupational therapists in Iran have a bottom-up approach toward clients with cerebral palsy. It may be necessary to revise the educational curriculum, prepare a training course, and provide more supervision for practising occupational therapists.

Evaluating pain in cerebral palsy: comparing assessment tools using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

Purpose: Pain is prevalent and affects functioning and quality of life of children with cerebral palsy (CP). However, pain in CP is under recognized. The International Classification of Functioning, Disabiity and Health (ICF) guides the selection of comprehensive chronic pain assessment tools. Our objectives were to identify measures addressing pain in children with CP, characterize the content of each measure using the ICF, and identify gaps and overlaps. Materials and methods: Measures were identified from: (1) a systematic review of outcome measures (1998-2012) and (2) a scan of chronic pain measures (2013-2015). Included measures were those published in English, used in children and youth with CP, and contained an item/domain addressing pain. Constructs of the measures were linked to the ICF. Results: Overall, 31 measures addressing chronic pain in CP were included. Considerable variability was found in the degree to which their content represented the ICF. Most of pain measures address pain intensity and pain location (body functions) as opposed to functional impact of pain (activities and participation). Conclusions: Functional dimensions are poorly represented in pain measures. Our findings may guide the selection of measures for research and clinical needs for comprehensive chronic pain management in children with CP. Implications for Rehabilitation Chronic pain is prevalent among children with cerebral palsy and significantly interfere with functional activities. To effectively manage chronic pain in children with cerebral palsy, measures capturing functional-based information need to be part of routine chronic pain assessment.