From time to time in the field of healthcare, an exciting new
development emerges to challenge and potentially transform thinking and
behaviour. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability
and Health (ICF) and its framework is undoubtedly one of these
transformative resources and is increasingly widely used in the field of
childhood disability.
This accessible handbook introduces the ICF to professionals working
with children with disabilities and their families. It contains an
overview of the elements of the ICF but focusses on practical
applications, including how the ICF framework can be used with children,
families and carers to formulate health and management goals. The
Appendices contain case studies for individuals and interdisciplinary
teams to work through and discuss, alongside other resources, and a copy
of an ICF code set for children and youth is available to download
online.
Importantly, the book includes a chapter written by a parent of a child
with impairments, illustrating the potential diverse applications of the
ICF framework. The ICF's relationship with patient-reported outcome
measures (PROMs) and future alternatives to the current ICF framework
are also examined.
Clinicians, paediatricians and other healthcare providers in
neurodisability, community-based health professionals, policy makers and
the families and carers of children with disabilities will find this
title an indispensable resource.