Understanding the care and support needs of older people: a scoping review and categorisation using the WHO international classification of functioning, disability and health framework (ICF).

BACKGROUND: The number of older people with unmet care and support needs is increasing substantially due to the challenges facing the formal and informal care system in the United Kingdom. Addressing these unmet needs is becoming one of the urgent public health priorities. In order to develop effective solutions to address some of these needs, it is important first to understand the care and support needs of older people. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted, using the Arksey and O'Malley original and enhanced framework, to understand the care and support needs of older people, focusing on those living at home with chronic conditions in the UK. The search was conducted using five electronic data bases, grey literature and reference list checks. The WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework was used to analyse and categorise the literature findings. RESULTS: Forty studies were included in the final analysis- 32 from academic literature and 8 from grey literature. The review highlighted that older adults faced a range of physical, social and psychological challenges due to living with chronic conditions and required care and support in three main areas: 1) social activities and relationships; 2) psychological health; and 3) activities related to mobility, self-care and domestic life. The review also highlighted that many older people demonstrated a desire to cope with their illness and maintain independence, however, environmental factors interfered with these efforts including: 1) lack of professional advice on self-care strategies; 2) poor communication and coordination of services; and 3) lack of information on services such as care pathways. A gap in the knowledge was also identified about the care and support needs of two groups within the older population: 1) older workers; and 2) older carers. CONCLUSIONS: The review highlighted that older people living with chronic conditions have unmet care needs related to their physical and psychological health, social life, as well as the environment in which they live and interact. Findings of this review also emphasized the importance of developing care models and support services based around the needs of older people.

Mobility in persons with lower extremity amputations and influencing factors: Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health to quantify expert views.

BACKGROUND:: International Classification of Function, Health and Disability provides a common framework and universal language for rehabilitation professionals across the globe. OBJECTIVES:: To identify problems in functioning and mobility relevant to persons with lower-limb amputation from an expert's point of view and quantify these problems using the International Classification of Function, Health and Disability. STUDY DESIGN:: Qualitative study using electronic and paper surveys. METHODS:: Electronic or paper survey was done across six countries targeting clinicians involved in pre- and post-amputation care. Meaningful concepts were extracted from the responses and linked to suitable second-level and where applicable third-level International Classification of Function, Health and Disability categories. Categorical frequency analysis was completed for the combined data and for each location. RESULTS:: A total of 183 experts from 6 different countries responded to the survey. A total of 2171 concepts were identified, 82% of which could be linked to a second-level International Classification of Function, Health and Disability category. The categorical frequency analysis revealed that the categories of walking, design and construction of buildings for public and private use and sensation of pain were the most frequently occurring concepts and was similar across the six countries. CONCLUSION:: The International Classification of Function, Health and Disability can be utilised as a common framework for communication among clinicians involved in rehabilitation of persons with lower-limb amputation across the globe. The most important factors that were identified by experts in amputee rehabilitation working in different international locations were similar. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The challenges faced by the clinicians involved in care of persons with lower extremity amputation vary across different parts of the world. The overarching goal for the clinician irrespective of the location is to improve mobility and quality of life of their clients. The International Classification of Function, Health and Disability provides a common language between the various stakeholders in amputee rehabilitation across the globe.

Identification of relevant categories for inpatient physical therapy care using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: a Brazilian survey.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalized patients are at risk for the loss of function and impairment. Physical therapists aim to improve functionality and prevent disabilities. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) propose a universal language to classify the functionality of patients across different health care settings and over diverse health conditions. OBJECTIVES: To identify the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health categories that describe most common and relevant patient problems managed by physical therapists in Brazilian hospitals in the acute and post-acute care settings. SUBJECTS: The participants were physical therapists who worked in hospitals with a minimum work experience of two years. METHODS: A consensus-building, two-round, emailed survey was conducted using the Delphi technique. RESULTS: For the development of an ICF short list, 47 physical therapists from the acute care setting and 30 physical therapists from the post-acute care setting responded to the Delphi exercise. Most of the professionals were from the cardiorespiratory physical therapy area. A 80% level of consensus or higher was established for the selection of the categories of the ICF components (Body Functions, Body Structures, Activities and Participation, and Environmental Factors). We obtained two short lists to be used in clinical practice comprising 39 ICF categories for acute care settings and 53 for post-acute care settings. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to identify the most relevant aspects for physical therapy in Brazilian hospitals using the ICF framework. Our results can help to promote the adoption of the ICF in physical therapy clinical practice in the hospital setting.

Identifying the concepts contained within health-related quality of life outcome measures in concussion research using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health as a reference: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To identify the concepts contained within health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcome measures used in concussion-specific research using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) as a reference. METHODS: Eight electronic databases were searched from January 1, 1992 to March 12, 2017. Gray literature was searched, reference lists scanned, and relevant journals hand-searched. Agreement for inclusion was reached by consensus by two reviewers. A standardized data extraction tool was used to document study design, population, and key findings. Questionnaire items were linked as concepts to the corresponding second-level category of the ICF. Quality of studies was not assessed, as review was exploratory. RESULTS: Five outcome measures met the inclusion criteria, including the Perceived Quality of Life Scale, EuroQoL-5 dimensions, Quality of Life after Brain Injury, WHOQOL-100, and WHOQOL-BREF. A total of 373 concepts were extracted. 34 questions were linked to activities and participation (50.7%), 16 questions (23.9%) referred to body functions, and 17 questions (25.4%) were related to the environment. CONCLUSIONS: The wide range of concepts covered by different outcome measures demonstrates the complexity of recovery post-concussion and a lack of universal agreement in terms of what should be measured in this population. A working conceptual model of HRQOL post-concussion is proposed. Registration Prospero #CRD42017068241 (June 15, 2017).

Determinación de la situación de dependencia funcional. Revisión sobre los instrumentos de evaluación más utilizados / Determination upon functional dependence situation. Reviewing the most used evaluation tools

Introducción: la medición de la situación de dependencia es un acto fundamental para las diferentes administraciones públicas con competencias en el campo de la salud y de los servicios sociales, para así poder planificar de forma idónea las políticas encaminadas a la atención e intervención en este ámbito. Objetivo: el objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar los instrumentos de valoración de la situación de dependencia más utilizados en España, informando de su contenido y sus campos de aplicación más relevantes. Del mismo modo, conocer en qué se diferencian estas escalas de medida, del baremo de valoración de dependencia utilizado como puerta de acceso al Sistema para la Autonomía y Atención a la Dependencia. Método: este estudio se lleva a cabo mediante una revisión bibliográfica en las siguientes bases de datos: Dialnet, Scopus, SciELO y Fisterra.com. Conclusiones: Tras la pertinente revisión de la literatura existente, los resultados apuntan a que, a causa de la variabilidad de contextos en los que se enmarcan las situaciones de dependencia, existen una gran variedad de instrumentos de medida

Background: the measure of the dependence situation is a fundamental act for the different public administration, which are concerned with the health and also the social services; therefore appropriate way to plan the policies toward the assistance and procedure as well at this field. Objective: the aim of the present work is analyzing the most used valuation tools in Spain about the dependence situation. Reporting upon its content and its outstanding application fields is the goal. Knowing about the differences between these measurement scales, in relation to the dependence evaluation rate, is other goal as well. These scales are used to access to the System for Autonomy and Assistance to Dependence. Method: this study is made through a bibliographic review in the following database: Dialnet, Scopus, SciELO and Fisterra.com. Conclusion: after the appropriate reviewing of currently literature, the results indicate a wide variety of measure tools in spite of the fact that there are a huge variety of possible contexts inner dependence

Elaboration of the contextual factors of the ICF for Occupational Health Care.

BACKGROUND: Many work-related items are not included in the current classification of environmental factors from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Furthermore, personal factors are not classified and the ICF only provides a very limited list of examples. These facts make the ICF less useful for occupational health care and for research in the field of occupation and health. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this discussion paper is to introduce an elaboration of contextual factors, focussing on factors that influence work participation. METHODS: During the last 12 years, we developed two concept lists from the bottom up. These lists are based on our experiences in teaching and research, suggestions from students and other researchers, and factors found in the literature. In the fall of 2015 a scoping literature review was done to check for missing factors in these two concept lists. RESULTS: An elaboration of contextual factors, consisting of a list of work-related environmental factors and a list of personal factors. CONCLUSIONS: Important contextual factors that influence work participation are identified. Researchers, teachers, students, occupational and insurance physicians, allied health care professionals, employers, employees, and policy makers are invited to use the elaboration and to make suggestions for improvement. The elaboration and the suggestions received can be used in the ICF revision process. The development of an ICF ontology must be given priority, to give room to this elaboration, which will increase the applicability of the ICF and enable mapping with other terminologies and classifications.

Measurement of activity limitations and participation restrictions: examination of ICF-linked content and scale properties of the FIM and PC-PART instruments.

PURPOSE: To explore the operationalization of activity and participation-related measurement constructs through comparison of item phrasing, item response categories and scoring (scale properties) for two separate instruments targeting activities of daily living. METHOD: Personal Care Participation Assessment and Resource Tool (PC-PART) item content was linked to ICF categories using established linking rules. Previously reported ICF-linked FIM content categories and ICF-linked PC-PART content categories were compared to identify common ICF categories between the instruments. Scale properties of both instruments were compared using a patient scenario to explore the instruments' separate measurement constructs. RESULTS: The PC-PART and FIM shared 15 of the 53 level two ICF-linked categories identified across both instruments. Examination of the instruments' scale properties for items with overlapping ICF content, and exploration through a patient scenario, provided supportive evidence that the instruments measure different constructs. CONCLUSIONS: While the PC-PART and FIM share common ICF-linked content, they measure separate constructs. Measurement construct was influenced by the instruments' scale properties. The FIM was observed to measure activity limitations and the PC-PART measured participation restrictions. Scrutiny of instruments' scale properties in addition to item content is critical in the operationalization of activity and participation-related measurement constructs. Implications for Rehabilitation When selecting outcome measures for use in rehabilitation it is necessary to examine both the content of the instruments' items and item phrasing, response categories and scoring, to clarify the construct being measured. Measurement of activity limitations as well as participation restrictions in activities of daily living required for community life provides a more comprehensive measurement of rehabilitation outcomes than measurement of either construct alone. To measure the effects of interventions used in rehabilitation, it is necessary to select measures with relevant content and scale properties that enable evaluation of change in the constructs that are expected to change, as a result of the rehabilitation intervention.

Towards the system-wide implementation of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health in routine clinical practice: Empirical findings of a pilot study from Mainland China.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility of using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Generic Set in routine clinical practice, and of creating a functioning score based on it, and, subsequently, to examine its sensitivity to change. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, data from 761 adult inpatients from 21 Chinese hospitals were analysed. Each patient was assessed at admission and discharge. Feasibility was evaluated by analysing mean assessment time. The Rasch model was used to create a metric of functioning. Sensitivity to change was analysed with mixed-effects regression and by calculating standardized effect size based on Cohen's f2. RESULTS: Mean duration of assessment was 5.3 min, with a significant decrease between admission and discharge. After removal of the item remunerative employment, the remaining ICF Generic Set categories fitted the Rasch model well. With a mean improvement in functioning of 12.1 (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 11.5-12.6), this metric proved sensitive to change, both in terms of statistical significance (p < 0.001) and standardized effect size (Cohen's f2 = 2.35). DISCUSSION: The ICF Generic Set is feasible for use in routine clinical practice and is promising to serve as the basis for the development of a functioning score that is sensitive to change.

Olle Höök Lectureship 2015: The World Health Organization's paradigm shift and implementation of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health in rehabilitation.

The World Health Organization's (WHO) paradigm shift, implied by the launch of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), is inextricably entwined with the emergence of rehabilitation as a key health strategy of the 21st century. To enable health systems to scale up rehabilitation we must spearhead the implementation of the ICF in rehabilitation towards its system-wide implementation in the healthcare system at large. In this essay, based on the Olle Höök lecture 20151, it is argued that the launch of the ICF in 2001 represents a paradigm shift, as it has enabled the WHO to more comprehensively act on its mandate and has guided WHO policies to shape the health system in response to population functioning needs. It is shown that this paradigm shift has important implications for rehabilitation, including its conceptualization and scientific methods. A prerequisite for the system-wide implementation of the ICF in clinical practice, policy, and research, is the availability of practical tools that allow for the universal and standardized description of functioning. Finally, some reflections are presented on how we may foster the system-wide implementation of the ICF by applying approaches from the implementation sciences.

Towards system-wide implementation of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in routine practice: Developing simple, intuitive descriptions of ICF categories in the ICF Generic and Rehabilitation Set.

OBJECTIVE: A national, multi-phase, consensus process to develop simple, intuitive descriptions of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) categories contained in the ICF Generic and Rehabilitation Sets, with the aim of enhancing the utility of the ICF in routine clinical practice, is presented in this study. METHODS: A multi-stage, national, consensus process was conducted. The consensus process involved 3 expert groups and consisted of a preparatory phase, a consensus conference with consecutive working groups and 3 voting rounds (votes A, B and C), followed by an implementation phase. In the consensus conference, participants first voted on whether they agreed that an initially developed proposal for simple, intuitive descriptions of an ICF category was in fact simple and intuitive. RESULTS: The consensus conference was held in August 2014 in mainland China. Twenty-one people with a background in physical medicine and rehabilitation participated in the consensus process. Four ICF categories achieved consensus in vote A, 16 in vote B, and 8 in vote C. DISCUSSION: This process can be seen as part of a larger effort towards the system-wide implementation of the ICF in routine clinical and rehabilitation practice to allow for the regular and comprehensive evaluation of health outcomes most relevant for the monitoring of quality of care.

Towards the system-wide implementation of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health in routine practice: Lessons from a pilot study in China.

In 2011 the Chinese leadership in rehabilitation, in collaboration with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Research Branch, embarked on an effort towards the system-wide implementation of the ICF in the healthcare system in China. We report here on the lessons learned from the pilot phase of testing the ICF Generic Set, a parsimonious set of 7 ICF categories, which have been shown to best describe functioning across the general population and people with various health conditions, for use in routine clinical practice in China. The paper discusses whether classification and measurement are compatible, what number of ICF categories should be included in data collection in routine practice, and the usefulness of a functioning profile and functioning score in clinical practice and health research planning. In addition, the paper reflects on the use of ICF qualifiers in a rating scale and the particularities of certain ICF categories contained in the ICF Generic Set when used as items in the context of Chinese rehabilitation and healthcare. Finally, the steps required to enhance the utility of system-wide implementation of the ICF in rehabilitation and healthcare services are set out.

Toward the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Rehabilitation Set: A Minimal Generic Set of Domains for Rehabilitation as a Health Strategy.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a comprehensive set of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) categories as a minimal standard for reporting and assessing functioning and disability in clinical populations along the continuum of care. The specific aims were to specify the domains of functioning recommended for an ICF Rehabilitation Set and to identify a minimal set of environmental factors (EFs) to be used alongside the ICF Rehabilitation Set when describing disability across individuals and populations with various health conditions. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of existing data sets using regression methods (Random Forests and Group Lasso regression) and expert consultations. SETTING: Along the continuum of care, including acute, early postacute, and long-term and community rehabilitation settings. PARTICIPANTS: Persons (N=9863) with various health conditions participated in primary studies. The number of respondents for whom the dependent variable data were available and used in this analysis was 9264. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: For regression analyses, self-reported general health was used as a dependent variable. The ICF categories from the functioning component and the EF component were used as independent variables for the development of the ICF Rehabilitation Set and the minimal set of EFs, respectively. RESULTS: Thirty ICF categories to be complemented with 12 EFs were identified as relevant to the identified ICF sets. The ICF Rehabilitation Set constitutes of 9 ICF categories from the component body functions and 21 from the component activities and participation. The minimal set of EFs contains 12 categories spanning all chapters of the EF component of the ICF. CONCLUSIONS: The identified sets proposed serve as minimal generic sets of aspects of functioning in clinical populations for reporting data within and across heath conditions, time, clinical settings including rehabilitation, and countries. These sets present a reference framework for harmonizing existing information on disability across general and clinical populations.

Rehabilitation goals of people with spinal cord injuries can be classified against the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Set for spinal cord injuries.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVES: To establish whether inter-professional rehabilitation goals from people with non-traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) can be classified against the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) SCI Comprehensive and Brief Core Sets early postacute situation. SETTING: Neurological rehabilitation unit. METHODS: Rehabilitation goals of 119 patients with mainly incomplete and non-traumatic SCIs were classified against the ICF SCI Core Sets following established linking rules. RESULTS: A total of 119 patients generated 1509 goals with a mean (and s.d.) of 10.5 (9.1) goals per patient during the course of their inpatient rehabilitation stay. Classifying the 1509 rehabilitation goals against the Comprehensive ICF Core Set generated 2909 ICF codes. Only 69 goals (4.6%) were classified as 'not definable (ND)'. Classifying the 1509 goals against the Brief ICF Core Set generated 2076 ICF codes. However, 751(49.8%) of these goals were classified as 'ND'. In the majority of goals (95.7%), the ICF code description was not comprehensive enough to fully express the goals set in rehabilitation. In particular, the notion of quality of movement or specificity and measurability aspects of a goal (usually described with the criteria and acronyms SMART) could not be expressed through the ICF codes. CONCLUSION: Inter-professional rehabilitation goals can be broadly described by the ICF Comprehensive Core Set for SCI but not the Brief Core Set.

Lessons learned from different approaches towards classifying personal factors.

PURPOSE: To examine and compare existing suggestions towards a classification of Personal Factors (PF) of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). METHODS: Qualitative and quantitative content analyses of available categorizations of PF are conducted. RESULTS: While the eight categorizations greatly differ in their background and structure, the broad content areas covered seem to be similar and reflect the ICF definition of PF. They cover to various degrees 12 broad content areas: socio-demographic factors, behavioral and lifestyle factors, cognitive psychological factors, social relationships, experiences and biography, coping, emotional factors, satisfaction, other health conditions, biological/physiological factors, personality, motives/motivation. CONCLUSIONS: In comparing these categorizations, a common core of content issues for a potential ICF PF classification could be identified and valuable lessons learned. This can contribute to future classification development activities in relation to PF.

Contrasting the crospovidones functionality as excipients for direct compression

Specific values of technological properties of excipients allow the establishment of numerical parameters to define and compare their functionality. This study investigates the functionality of Polyplasdones XL and XL10. Parameters studied included tablet disintegration profiles, compactibility profiles and powder flow. The results allowed the establishment of quantitative surrogate functionalities of technological performance, such as absolute number, and as a value relative to the known microcrystalline cellulose type 102. Moreover, the establishment of an explicit functionality to improve the technological performance of two diluents and a model drug was investigated, as was setting up of these functionalities, as quantitative values, to determine the input variables of each material and its probable functionality in a drug product. Disintegration times of pure Polyplasdone XL and its admixtures were around half that of Polyplasdone XL10. The improvement in tablet compactibility was 25-50% greater for Polyplasdone XL10 than Polyplasdone XL. Crospovidones proportions of up to 10% have little effect on the flow properties of other powders, although pure Polyplasdone XL10 and its admixtures display compressibility indexes about 20% greater than Polyplasdone XL. The observed results are in line with a smaller particle size of Polyplasdone XL10 compared to Polyplasdone XL.

Os valores específicos de propriedades tecnológicas de excipientes permitem o estabelecimento de parâmetros numéricos para definir e comparar a sua funcionalidade. Este estudo investiga a funcionalidade dos excipientes. Os parâmetros estudados foram perfis de desintegração dos comprimidos, perfis de compactação e fluxo de pó. Os resultados permitiram expressar o desempenho tecnológico através de valores absolutos e valores relativos à conhecida celulose microcristalina tipo 102. Do mesmo modo, permitiram estabelecer uma funcionalidade explícita para melhorar o desempenho tecnológico de dois diluentes e um fármaco modelo. A criação destas funcionalidades, como valores quantitativos, permite conhecer as variáveis de entrada de cada material e sua provável funcionalidade em um medicamento. Os tempos de desintegração do Poliplasdone XL e das suas misturas são cerca da metade do observado para as misturas com o Poliplasdone XL10. Melhoria da compressão de comprimidos que contêm Polyplasdone XL10 é 25-50% maior do que o Polyplasdone XL. Crospovidonas em proporções de até 10% têm pouco efeito sobre as propriedades de fluxo dos outros pós embora o Poliplasdone XL10 e suas misturas exibam índices de compressibilidade cerca de 20% maior do que o Poliplasdone XL. Os resultados observados estão em sintonia com o menor tamanho de partícula do Poliplasdone XL10, em comparação com o Poliplasdone XL.

Validation of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for Stroke by exploring the patient's perspective on functioning in everyday life: a qualitative study.

International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) core sets are short procedures to record and provide information on health. However, further validation is needed. The aim of this study was to validate the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for stroke by exploring the patient's living at home and receiving outpatient rehabilitation perspective on functioning in everyday life. Qualitative interviews of 22 patients with previous stroke in Finland were analyzed using the content analysis method: functional concepts that described the participants' perspective on functioning in everyday life were extracted from the interview transcripts and linked to ICF categories using ICF linking rules. Extracted functional concepts from 372 meaning units were linked to 115 of the 166 categories included in the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for stroke and to six additional ICF categories. Thirty-eight concepts could not be linked to the ICF categories. Sixty-eight percent of the second-level ICF categories in the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for stroke were validated. In total, 28 of 36 categories added to the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for stroke from the Core Sets for patients with neurological conditions in the acute and early postacute phases were not confirmed in this sample of individuals with stroke living in their homes.

[Relevance of personal contextual factors of the ICF for use in practical social medicine and rehabilitation]. / Bedeutung der personbezogenen Faktoren der ICF für die Nutzung in der praktischen Sozialmedizin und Rehabilitation.

Personal contextual factors play an essential part in the model of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The WHO has not yet classified personal factors for global use although they impact on the functioning of persons positively or negatively. In 2010, the ICF working group of the German Society of Social Medicine and Prevention (DGSMP) presented a proposal for the classification of personal factors into 72 categories previously arranged in 6 chapters. Now a positioning paper has been added in order to stimulate a discussion about the fourth component of the ICF, to contribute towards a broader and common understanding about the nature of personal factors and to incite a dialogue among all those involved in health care as well as those people with or with-out health problems in order to gain a comprehensive perspective about a person's condition.

Classification of functioning and impairment: the development of ICF core sets for autism spectrum disorder.

Given the variability seen in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), accurate quantification of functioning is vital to studying outcome and quality of life in affected individuals. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a comprehensive, universally accepted framework for the description of health-related functioning. ICF Core Sets are shortlists of ICF categories that are selected to capture those aspects of functioning that are most relevant when describing a person with a specific condition. In this paper, the authors preview the process for developing ICF Core Sets for ASD, a collaboration with the World Health Organization and the ICF Research Branch. The ICF Children and Youth version (ICF-CY) was derived from the ICF and designed to capture the specific situation of the developing child. As ASD affects individuals throughout the life span, and the ICF-CY includes all ICF categories, the ICF-CY will be used in this project ("ICF(-CY)" from now on). The ICF(-CY) categories to be included in the ICF Core Sets for ASD will be determined at an ICF Core Set Consensus Conference, where evidence from four preparatory studies (a systematic review, an expert survey, a patient and caregiver qualitative study, and a clinical cross-sectional study) will be integrated. Comprehensive and Brief ICF Core Sets for ASD will be developed with the goal of providing useful standards for research and clinical practice and generating a common language for functioning and impairment in ASD in different areas of life and across the life span.