Measuring Advanced Motor Skills in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Since tests of the Challenge Module conducted in the past revealed that response scales should assess performance speed as well as skill accomplishment, the objective of this study was to develop empirically based dual-criterion (accomplishment and time) response options. Challenge items were tested with a convenience sample of 34 children who were typically developing (4-10 years) to obtain time cut-points that could be applied to children/youth with cerebral palsy. Median/lower quartile item performance times were calculated within younger (<7.5 years) and older child (≥7.5 years) groups, and used as benchmarks for response option cut-points. Children’s scores were recalculated using these cut-points to verify that differences in younger and older children’s abilities and times were captured. Mean scores were 48.9% and 87.2% for younger and older groups, in line with the expected developmental progression. Further response revision captured high-level movement control older children displayed.

This revised Challenge measures skill accomplishment, speed, and quality.