Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools

Summary

We present a protocol to use a computational tool to record and analyze the functional abilities of children aged 3-6 years old. The protocol facilitates the comparison of these abilities throughout their development and can be used to assess developmental difficulties.

Abstract

The analysis of functional abilities and their development in early childhood (0-6 years old) are fundamental aspects among young children with certain types of developmental difficulties that can facilitate prevention, through programmed interventions adapted to the needs of each user (student or patient). There are, however, few investigations to date, that have analyzed the use of automated tools for recording and interpreting the results of the initial assessment. Here, a protocol is presented to examine the functional abilities in early childhood in young children, aged between 3-6 years old, with intellectual disabilities, but the protocol can also be used for ages 0 to 6 years. The protocol makes use of a computer application, eEarlyCare, that facilitates the interpretation of the results of systematic observations, which are recorded in natural environments by professionals trained in early intervention. The software can be used to analyze 11 functional areas (Food Autonomy, Personal Care and Hygiene, Dressing and Undressing Independently, Sphincter Control, Functional Mobility, Communication and Language, Daily Life Routines, Adaptive Behavior and Attention) and a total of 114 different behaviors. Its use facilitates the analysis of the observed abilities and greatly assists early intervention. Compared to other observational methods, it allows a more efficient use of personal and material resources. The use of the computer application facilitates the recording of the observation results, which helps with organization and reflection on the observations. The software displays the observation results on-screen compared to normal developmental parameters. This information can be referred to for decision-making about the most suitable intervention program for each user (student or patient). Likewise, clustering techniques are applied to analyze the relation between the type of intellectual disabilities and functional development identified with the software, a relation that is intended to serve as a guide for early-care professional intervention.

Introduction

Observation at early ages: what and how to observe

Early childhood assessment in ordinary family contexts and at school is performed using the observational method. Hence, the evaluator must adhere to a precise observational process, the key to an accurate diagnosis and, therefore, to a successful training¹. There are many development inventories that provide guidelines for assessment: The Portage Guide², the Brunet Lézine Scale³, and the Battelle Developmental Inventory⁴, among others. These tools are based on international....

Protocol

This protocol was performed in compliance with the procedural regulations of the Bioethical Committee of the University of Burgos (Spain). Prior to their participation, both the students and their parents and in some cases legal tutors had all provided their informed consent and had been fully made aware of the objectives of study. No financial compensation was offered for their participation.

1. Participant recruitment

1. Recruit children between 0-6 years of age with a history of special educational needs related to alteration in the areas of motor development, cognitive, personal autonomy, and socialization and with moderate to ....

Results

The present study recruited 11 participants with confirmed diagnoses [both moderate (development quotient = DQ 40-65) and severe (DQ 39-60) intellectual disabilities]. The protocol was tested in a pilot project over 20 months at a Special Education Center. All the diagnoses for this study had been confirmed by a multidisciplinary team in accordance with DSM-5, using the Brunet Lézine Scale, as the degree of affectation was beyond the scope of other scales such as the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intellige.......

Discussion

When using the software, it is recommended that the teacher or therapist record the development of each child's functional abilities over at least for two sessions. The scale contains 114 items, 11 functional areas, which are divided into 33 functional subareas and the assessment should be the result of observation in natural contexts. In addition, the software allows early-care professionals to record evaluation data with ease and to analyze the data displayed in individual and group graphs, highlighting the develop.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
eEarlyCare software	Authors and University of Burgos. Register number 00/2019/3855		Computer application to implement SFA
Scale for the measurement of functional abilities in 0-6 years old (SFA)	Authors and University of Burgos. Register number 00/2019/4253		Scale for the measurement of functional abilities in 0-6 year olds