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Development of the Gross Motor Function Classification System for cerebral palsy
Author(s) -
Rosenbaum Peter L,
Palisano Robert J,
Bartlett Doreen J,
Galuppi Barbara E,
Russell Dianne J
Publication year - 2008
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/j.1469-8749.2008.02045.x
Subject(s) - gross motor function classification system , cerebral palsy , gross motor skill , motor function , function (biology) , physical medicine and rehabilitation , motor skill , psychology , motor system , physical therapy , medicine , developmental psychology , neuroscience , evolutionary biology , biology
The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) for cerebral palsy has been widely used internationally for clinical, research, and administrative purposes. This paper recounts the ideas and work behind the creation of the GMFCS, reports on the lessons learned, and identifies some philosophical challenges inherent in trying to develop an ordered, valid, and consistent system to describe function in children and adolescents with developmental differences. It is hoped that these ideas will be useful to others who choose to expand the field with additional systems in other areas of childhood neurodisability.