The Gestalt of functioning in autism spectrum disorder: Results ofthe international conference to develop final consensus InternationalClassification of Functioning Disability and Health core sets

摘要

Autism spectrum disorder is associated with diverse social, educational, and occupational challenges. To date, no standardized, internationally accepted tools exist to assess autism spectrum disorder–related functioning. World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health can serve as foundation for developing such tools. This study aimed to identify a comprehensive, a common brief, and three age-appropriate brief autism spectrum disorder Core Sets. Four international preparatory studies yielded in total 164 second-level International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health candidate categories. Based on this evidence, 20 international autism spectrum disorder experts applied an established iterative decision-making consensus process to select from the candidate categories the most relevant ones to constitute the autism spectrum disorder Core Sets. The consensus process generated 111 second-level International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health categories in the Comprehensive Core Set for autism spectrum disorder—one body structure, 20 body functions, 59 activities and participation categories, and 31 environmental factors. The Common Brief Core Set comprised 60 categories, while the age-appropriate core sets included 73categories in the preschool version (0- to 5-year-old children), 81 in theschool-age version (6- to 16-year-old children and adolescents), and 79 in theolder adolescent and adult version (⩾17-year-old individuals). The autismspectrum disorder Core Sets mark a milestone toward the standardized assessmentof autism spectrum disorder–related functioning in educational, administrative,clinical, and research settings.