Documenting the Functional Profile of Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Applications of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF)

Background:

Although the DSM-IV and the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria is helpful in identifying individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), their utility for providing a description of the profile of functional skills is limited. The establishment of such a system of functional profiling will enable programs to more effectively plan intervention programs and to evaluate programs.

Objectives:

This study sought to examine (a) the utility of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) in documenting the functional profile of adolescents with ASD and to (b) describe the functional skills of adolescents with ASD.

Methods: The responses from parents of 15 adolescents with ASD attending specialized educational settings in Singapore were gathered via a semi-structured interview mapped upon the ICF.

Results:

The interviews revealed a profile of functional skills for the adolescents with ASD consistent with the core deficits of ASD (i.e., social and communication areas). However, other areas of poor functioning were also identified.

Conclusions:

The ICF appears to be a useful system for the study of functional skills of adolescents with ASD. There also needs to be further focus on other aspects of functioning among adolescents with ASD for intervention planning.