The Development and Validation of a Scale for the Activities of Daily Living in Iranian Children

INTRODUCTION: Activities of Daily Living (ADL), as an ultimate goal of rehabilitation, rely on cultural and environmental factors. This study aimed to develop a questionnaire based on the occupational therapy practice frame to accurately evaluate Iranian children’s occupational performance. METHODS: This scale was developed in two phases of planning and construction. The planning phase involved a literature review and a collection of the available evaluation tools in the area. The advice of two expert panels was used to develop a preliminary 87-item questionnaire. In the construction phase, 40 parents were surveyed to assess the popularity of the activities in Iran. After a face to content validation, the final version of the questionnaire was prepared with 93 items. RESULTS: The final 93-item questionnaire was used to assess the ADL of 3-6-year-old children. The 93 items, selected according to criteria found in the literature and the panel of experts, were categorized into six ranges of occupational therapy practice framework (bathing/washing/personal hygiene, toileting, dressing, eating/feeding, functional mobility, and others). CONCLUSION: The ADL in Iranian children is a practical and culturally relevant tool for measuring the occupational performance of Iranian children. It can be used in clinical and population-based research. HIGHLIGHTS: ADLs are essential and routine tasks required to independent and healthy living. The active participation of the child in ADL during development has a positive effect on the development of sensory and cognitive functions of the brain. ADLs are highly dependent on contextual and ecological factors, such as parenting style, the environment and given context. The ADLIC tool is a standard, culturally adapted tool that can be used by occupational therapists to assess ADLS in Iranian children. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: The ADLs referred to Self Care Skills, which play a major role in a child overall functional growth, confidence and independence. The healthy individuals can perform these life skills without assistance. The inability to accomplish essential ADLs may lead to unsafe conditions and poor quality of life. Due to the importance of these activities during the development of the child, it is necessary for Iranian children to be evaluated in terms of independence in these activities so that in case of disorder, the necessary counseling and education can be provided by occupational therapists.