Browsing by Author "Simeonsson, Rune J."
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- Classifying Functioning of Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disability: The Utility of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and YouthPublication . Vale, Maria do Carmo; Pereira-da-Silva, Luis; Pimentel, Maria João; Marques, Teresa Nunes; Rodrigues, Helena; Cunha, Gilda; Machado, Maria do Céu; Sanches-Ferreira, Manuela; Simeonsson, Rune J.Observational cross-sectional study carried out in a pediatric neurodevelopment unit of a tertiary-care hospital. A sample of 355 children with median ((min.–max.) 1.0–17.3) years with intellectual disability (30.4% borderline, 43.1% mild, 19.7% moderate, 5.1% severe, and 1.7% profound disability) was seen over a period of 3 years. Based on clinical observation and psychological evaluation, a neurodevelopmental pediatrician selected ICF-CY body functions codes, and respective qualifiers, to effectively describe functioning of children. Based on evaluation reports, a psychologist and a special educator assigned the previously chosen ICF-CY body functions codes to 139 and 67 children, respectively. Inter-rater agreement was estimated using simple and weighted Cohen’s kappa coefficients and Gwet’s AC1 statistic and Gwet’s weighted kappa coefficient statistic. A set of eight ICF-CY codes was identified as efficiently describing impairments of body functions of children with intellectual disability: global mental functions b117 and b122; specific mental functions b147, b163, b164, and b167; and voice and speech functions b320 and b330. Results indicate a correspondence between the level of severity of qualifiers assigned to ICF-CY codes and the level of intellectual disability. Inter-rater agreement was variable among raters, with the best agreements found for qualifying intellectual functions (b117) and psychomotor functions (b122). A profile of eight ICF-CY codes effectively describes functioning of children with intellectual disability, providing an alternative to medically based classification, based on diagnoses with functionally based classification of children’s characteristics. The findings contribute to define a comprehensive set of codes to reliably record individual differences of functioning in this population
- Conditions for Implementing the ICF-CY in Education: The Experience in PortugalPublication . Sanches-Ferreira, Manuela; Silveira-Maia, Mónica; Alves, Sílvia; Simeonsson, Rune J.Reflecting international trends for implementing inclusive education, Portugal enacted a special education law (Law No. 3/2008) in 2008, defining substantial changes in educational practice. One of the most important changes consisted in determining that eligibility for special education services be based on the functioning profile of students documented with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, version for children and youth [ICF-CY, WHO (World Health Organization), 2007]. The study described in this manuscript belongs to a broader project and consisted of the administration of a survey to a nationally representative sample of 551 professionals, to examine factors they considered as most influential to the perceived ease in using the ICF-CY, as well as identifying the extent to which the professional groups and the enrollment on training relates to the opinion about the use of the ICF. For sample recruitment, 414 clusters of schools were randomly selected, stratified according to the distribution of schools in the different Regional Directorates of Education in Portugal. The survey consisted of demographic questions and 49 scaled items, assessed on a 4-point Likert scale in which respondents rated: (i) the perceived ease on the ICF-CY usage; (ii) their level of knowledge on conceptual and procedural aspects inherent to the Law implementation, as well as, on regard to performed roles defined; (iii) the extent to which their schools presented conditions for collaboration; and (iv) the importance of contextual variables as valued conditions for using the ICF-CY. Results showed that the establishment of mechanisms for collaboration and interdisciplinarity were central conditions to meet the comprehensiveness and rigor defining an ICF-CY-based assessment. Likewise, consideration of diverse backgrounds and needs of professional groups in terms of knowledge needs to be a central requirement for implementing an ICF-CY informed approach. An important implication for training programs is to have an expanded focus on demonstrations on how the ICF-CY can be used to support the implementation of socio-ecological and inclusive perspectives.
- Evaluating implementation of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health in Portugal's special education lawPublication . Sanches-Ferreira, Manuela; Simeonsson, Rune J.; Silveira-Maia, Mónica; Alves, SílviaThis paper reports the results of a national two-year project, commissioned by the Portuguese Ministry of Education, to investigate the implementation of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) under Decree-Law 3/2008. The Decree-Law also introduced the principle that the documentation of students' functioning profiles should be the basis for eligibility decision-making – replacing the need of a diagnosis. Of specific interest was the study of the ICF implementation in the assessment, eligibility and intervention processes of students in need of specialised supports. To that end, the study was based on a document analysis of case records of 214 students. The analysis of functioning profiles showed that the ICF use promoted a functional approach in students' assessment. In addition, the use of the ICF contributed to the differentiation of eligible and non-eligible students based on their functioning profiles and addressed the most suitable educational interventions within the Individualised Education Plans.
- Implementation of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in Portuguese Special Education Policy and PracticePublication . Sanches-Ferreira, Manuela; Simeonsson, Rune J.; Alves, Sílvia; Silveira-Maia, MónicaIn January 2008 with the introduction of the Decree-L aw n.º3/2008, Portugal became the first country implementing the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, ICF (WHO, 2001) as a framework to be obligatorily used in special education system. This policy was responsible for the introduction of substantial changes among which the ICF implementation to support the assessment and eligibility processes represented the major challenge for educational professionals.
- Projecto da Avaliação Externa da Implementação do Decreto-Lei n.º 3/2008Publication . Simeonsson, Rune J.; Sanches-Ferreira, Manuela; Silveira-Maia, Mónica; Pinheiro, Sara; Tavares, Ana; Alves, SílviaO Decreto-Lei n.º 3/2008 introduz mudanças substantivas no modo de entender e responder aos alunos com deficiência e incapacidade, propondo mais um passo na direcção de um pensamento e de uma pragmática inclusiva. Um elemento central deste articulado foi a substituição da necessidade de um diagnóstico médico ou psicológico na elegibilidade de alunos para a Educação Especial, pela descrição de um perfil de funcionalidade baseado numa avaliação biopsicossocial mediada pela utilização da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde (CIF). Este projecto teve como objectivo a avaliação da implementação do Decreto-Lei n.º 3/2008, incidindo sobre quatro grandes questões: (1) utilização da CIF como referencial na descrição da funcionalidade dos alunos elegíveis e não elegíveis; (2) procedimentos de referenciação, de avaliação especializada e de elaboração do relatório técnico-pedagógico; (3) medidas educativas seleccionadas para os alunos elegíveis e não elegíveis; (4) recursos e apoios disponibilizados pela escola (disposições finais).
- Projecto da Avaliação Externa da Implementação do Decreto-Lei nº3/2008Publication . Sanches-Ferreira, Manuela; Simeonsson, Rune J.O Decreto-Lei n.º 3/2008 introduz mudanças substantivas no modo de entender e responder aos alunos com deficiência e incapacidade, propondo mais um passo na direcção de um pensamento e de uma pragmática inclusiva. Um elemento central deste articulado foi a substituição da necessidade de um diagnóstico médico ou psicológico na elegibilidade de alunos para a Educação Especial, pela descrição de um perfil de funcionalidade baseado numa avaliação biopsicossocial mediada pela utilização da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde (CIF). Este projecto teve como objectivo a avaliação da implementação do Decreto-Lei n.º 3/2008, incidindo sobre quatro grandes questões: (1) utilização da CIF como referencial na descrição da funcionalidade dos alunos elegíveis e não elegíveis; (2) procedimentos de referenciação, de avaliação especializada e de elaboração do relatório técnico-pedagógico; (3) medidas educativas seleccionadas para os alunos elegíveis e não elegíveis; (4) recursos e apoios disponibilizados pela escola (disposições finais).