title: Construct validity of language independent functional evaluation as used by Spanish-speaking clinicians to evaluate persons with developmental delays.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to establish the utility of Language Independent Functional Evaluation (LIFE) as used by clinicians.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a prospective trial involving 100 Spanish-speaking rehabilitation clients between the ages of 9 and 45 yrs with cognitive disability and 2 rehabilitation clinicians who cared for them at a Colombian inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation facility. Clinicians who had worked with clients for more than 2 mos rated their function using the LIFE and the Spanish-translated Barthel index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall LIFE scores correlated well with Barthel scores (r[98] = 0.793, P < 0.0001) and also on an item-to-item basis in all activities except grooming, bowel continence, and bladder continence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The LIFE is a reliable tool for clinicians to use in the assessment of persons with cognitive disability, regardless of the clinician's language.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48108, USA.
authors.forename: Siera
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goodnight
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Boggess
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Valencia
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ramierz
authors.forename: Jancho
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Amezquita
authors.forename: Karen S J
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Yamakawa
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Haig
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D003201:Computers; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007803:Language Arts; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult