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Functional independence of Taiwanese children with Down syndrome
Author(s) -
Lin HsiangYu,
Chuang ChihKuang,
Chen YenJiun,
Tu RuYi,
Chen MingRen,
Niu DauMing,
Lin ShuanPei
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/dmcn.12889
Subject(s) - functional independence measure , cognition , down syndrome , intervention (counseling) , strengths and weaknesses , physical therapy , psychology , activities of daily living , medicine , clinical psychology , psychiatry , social psychology
Aim Information regarding the functional strengths and weaknesses of children with Down syndrome is important for early intervention programmes and for agencies providing family support and educational services. Method This study used the Functional Independence Measure for Children (Wee FIM ) questionnaire for the parents or caregivers of 166 Taiwanese children (101 males and 65 females; median age 12y 7mo; range 3y 2mo–19y 1mo) with Down syndrome to assess their functional skills. Results Out of a potential score of 126, the mean total Wee FIM score was 101.2. There was no statistically significant difference between the scores from the male and female participants (100.4 [ SD 21.4] vs 102.4 [ SD 24.7]; p >0.05). The mean scores for three domains (self‐care, mobility, and cognition) were 45, 33, and 23 respectively (maximum of 56, 35, and 35 respectively). Performance was strongest in the mobility domain and weakest in the cognition domain. The total Wee FIM scores and 18 subscores for the three domains all positively correlated with age ( p <0.05). Interpretation For children with Down syndrome, some support and supervision is required for cognition and self‐care tasks. The Wee FIM questionnaire may be useful for identifying the strengths and limitations of children with developmental disabilities and their families.