Article

This paper describes the development, validation, and reliability of the
Functional Communication Classification System (FCCS), designed to classify
expressive communication skills of children with cerebral palsy (CP) aged 4 years
and 5 years (between their fourth and sixth birthdays). METHOD: The Functional
Communication Classification System (FCCS) was developed in 2006 using a
literature review, client file audit, and expert consultative committee process
in order to devise scale content, structure, and check clinical validity and
utility. Interrater reliability was examined between speech-language pathologists
(SLPs), other allied health professionals (AHPs), and parents of 48 children with
CP. The scale was revised and a clinical reasoning prompt sheet added, then
trialled again for 42 children.
The result was a five-level system with
descriptors and decision-making guides for classification of functional
expressive communication for children with CP.
RESULTS: Overall interrater
reliability was excellent for the final FCCS, intraclass correlation
coefficient=0.97 (95% confidence interval 0.95 to 0.98). Kappa values were 0.94
between SLPs and AHPs, 0.59 between SLPs and parents, and 0.60 between AHPs and
parents. INTERPRETATION:
The FCCS is a reliable tool for describing functional
communication in young children with CP, appropriate for use by SLPs, other AHPs,
and parents of children with CP.
CI - (c) 2016 Mac Keith Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS