ICF – A Hands–on Approach for Clinicians and Families

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.