The clinical use of functional classification systems for children and young people with cerebral palsy

Introduction: cerebral palsy (CP) describe limitations to someone’s functional ability in distinct ordinal levels. Our service review evaluated the use of the Gross Motor function classification system (GMFCS), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) and Eating & Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS) to describe the abilities of a population of children with CP. We analysed the relationships between the FCS and examined the associations with other clinical markers.Functional classification systems (FCS) for people with Participants and methods: FCS were obtained from therapy and medical reports ( associated comorbidities. The use of FCS was discussed with a group of parents (Children’s ability levels measured by eachn=49) withn=9). Results: Kendall’s tau. There were moderate positive correlations between three FCS: GMFCS and MACS (T (T were no significant correlations between CFCS and the other FCS. All children with respiratory vulnerability were measured as EDACS IV and V.The relationship between each FCS was calculated using=0.54, p=0.00), GMFCS and EDACS=0.33, p=0.007), MACS and EDACS (T=0.49, p=0.00). There Conclusion: abilities as measured by one FCS from the levels assigned in another. This service review highlights the need to use all four FCS in a clinical setting to enhance communication between health professionals and families of children with CP.It is not possible to accurately predict a child’s functiona