This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Msall, M. E. Articles by Duffy, L. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Msall, M. E. Articles by Duffy, L. C. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

The Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM)

Conceptual Basis and Pilot Use in Children With Developmental Disabilities

Department of Pediatrics, SUNY at Buffalo, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, SUNY at Buffalo

Kathleen DiGaudio

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Robert Warner Rehabilitation Center, Children's Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York

Brian T. Rogers

Department of Pediatrics, SUNY at Buffalo, Department of Neurology, SUNY at Buffalo

Suzanne LaForest

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Robert Warner Rehabilitation Center, Children's Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York

Nancy L. Catanzaro

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Robert Warner Rehabilitation Center, Children's Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York

Jeanette Campbell

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Robert Warner Rehabilitation Center, Children's Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York

Felicia Wilczenski

Department of Educational Psychology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, SUNY at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York

Linda C. Duffy

Department of Pediatrics, SUNY at Buffalo

Few tools are available to pediatricians for tracking and monitoring disability status in children. We describe the conceptual basis and pilot use of the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) . Our pilot use of this instrument in children with limb deficiency, Down's syndrome, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and extreme prematurity demonstrates that the WeeFIM is a valid measure for tracking disability in preschool age and middle childhood. The WeeFIM measures the impact of developmental strengths and difficulties on independence at home, in school, and in the community. This allows the pediatrician to prioritize interventions for enhancing comprehensive functional outcomes and supporting families.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. Guillet and J. Kwon Seizure Recurrence and Developmental Disabilities After Neonatal Seizures: Outcomes Are Unrelated to Use of Phenobarbital Prophylaxis J Child Neurol, April 1, 2007; 22(4): 389 - 395. [Abstract] [PDF]

				F.-G. Debray, M. Lambert, I. Chevalier, Y. Robitaille, J.-C. Decarie, E. A. Shoubridge, B. H. Robinson, and G. A. Mitchell Long-term Outcome and Clinical Spectrum of 73 Pediatric Patients With Mitochondrial Diseases Pediatrics, April 1, 2007; 119(4): 722 - 733. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K H Boeschoten, K B Folmer, J H van der Lee, and F Nollet Development of a set of activities to evaluate the arm and hand function in children with obstetric brachial plexus lesion Clinical Rehabilitation, February 1, 2007; 21(2): 163 - 170. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. L. McCarthy, E. J. MacKenzie, D. R. Durbin, M. E. Aitken, K. M. Jaffe, C. N. Paidas, B. S. Slomine, A. M. Dorsch, J. R. Christensen, R. Ding, et al. Health-Related Quality of Life During the First Year After Traumatic Brain Injury Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, March 1, 2006; 160(3): 252 - 260. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Wong, Y.-C. T. Au-Yeung, and P.-K. Law Correlation of Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) With Developmental Language Tests in Children With Developmental Delay J Child Neurol, July 1, 2005; 20(7): 613 - 616. [Abstract] [PDF]

				V. Wong, B. Chung, S. Hui, A. Fong, C. Lau, B. Law, K. Lo, T. Shum, and R. Wong Cerebral Palsy: Correlation of Risk Factors and Functional Performance Using the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) J Child Neurol, November 1, 2004; 19(11): 887 - 893. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. Manuel, M. J. Naughton, R. Balkrishnan, B. Paterson Smith, and L. A. Koman Stress and Adaptation in Mothers of Children With Cerebral Palsy J. Pediatr. Psychol., April 1, 2003; 28(3): 197 - 201. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. L. Wilczenski, T. Bontrager, and B. Ferraro Measuring Functional Independence of Students with Severe Disabilities: Issues and Methods Assessment for Effective Intervention, January 1, 2002; 28(1): 31 - 38. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M.-E. Dilenge, A. Majnemer, and M. I. Shevell Topical Review: Long-Term Developmental Outcome of Asphyxiated Term Neonates J Child Neurol, January 1, 2001; 16(11): 781 - 792. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. A. Kozinetz, R. W. Warren, C. L. Berseth, L. A. Aday, R. Sachdeva, and R. T. Kirkland Health Status of Children with Special Health Care Needs: Measurement Issues and Instruments Clinical Pediatrics, September 1, 1999; 38(9): 525 - 533. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Ketelaar, A. Vermeer, and P. J. Helders Functional motor abilities of children with cerebral palsy: a systematic literature review of assessment measures Clinical Rehabilitation, May 1, 1998; 12(5): 369 - 380. [Abstract] [PDF]