The Development of the ICF Neurodevelopmental Condition Clinician-Administered Assessment of Functioning (INCAAF) for young children
Emily D’Arcy1,2,3, Maya Hayden-Evans1,2,3, Kiah Evans1,2,3,4, Angela Chamberlain1,2, Benjamin Milbourn1,2,3, Sven Bölte1,5,6, Sonya Girdler1,2,3,4,5 1School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia2Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia3Autism CRC, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia4School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia5Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden6Centre for Psychiatry Research, Region Stockholm, Sweden
Abstract
Accurate and valid assessments of functioning for young children with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) are vital for accessing funding, diagnosis and services in Australia. However, existing measures have not been found fit for purpose, specifically due to limited content validity. To address this clinical need, the ICF Neurodevelopmental Clinician-Administered Assessment of Functioning (INCAAF) for young children has been developed, based on ICF and associated Core Sets for Autism, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy and Early Delay and Disability. The INCAAF aims to meet best practice standards for assessing functioning, including the integration of clinical interview, observations, standardised assessments, file review, and contact with other professionals.
The INCAAF has been developed and tested through an iterative process with input from researchers, clinicians, and neurodivergent individuals. Two pilots of the INCAAF have been completed, evaluating the INCAAF’s construct validity, clinical utility and consumer acceptability, with revisions made to the INCAAF after each pilot. For both pilots, the INCAAF was administered with caregivers of children (n=36) under six years of age, with, or suspected of, NDCs during a home visit by an occupational therapist. Feedback about the INCAAF’s consumer acceptability was collected through a mixed-method survey with caregivers, and clinical utility was assessed through workshops with clinicians (n=42).
The INCAAF showed strong construct validity and consumer acceptability and promising clinical utility. It was acknowledged that the clinical utility was limited by the relatively early stage of tool development. While further development and testing are required, the INCAAF shows promise for use in clinical practice.
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