title: The Communication Function Classification System: cultural adaptation, validity, and reliability of the Farsi version for patients with cerebral palsy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study developed a Farsi language Communication Function Classification System and then tested its reliability and validity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Communication Function Classification System is designed to classify the communication functions of individuals with cerebral palsy. Up until now, there has been no instrument for assessment of this communication function in Iran. The English Communication Function Classification System was translated into Farsi and cross-culturally modified by a panel of experts. Professionals and parents then assessed the content validity of the modified version. A backtranslation of the Farsi version was confirmed by the developer of the English Communication Function Classification System. Face validity was assessed by therapists and parents of 10 patients. The Farsi Communication Function Classification System was administered to 152 individuals with cerebral palsy (age, 2 to 18 years; median age, 10 years; mean age, 9.9 years; standard deviation, 4.3 years). Inter-rater reliability was analyzed between parents, occupational therapists, and speech and language pathologists. The test-retest reliability was assessed for 75 patients with a 14 day interval between tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The inter-rater reliability of the Communication Function Classification System was 0.81 between speech and language pathologists and occupational therapists, 0.74 between parents and occupational therapists, and 0.88 between parents and speech and language pathologists. The test-retest reliability was 0.96 for occupational therapists, 0.98 for speech and language pathologists, and 0.94 for parents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that the Farsi version of Communication Function Classification System is a reliable and valid measure that can be used in clinical settings to assess communication function in patients with cerebral palsy.
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: Soleymaniz@sina.tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Soleymani
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ghodsiye
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Joveini
authors.affiliation: Vital Statistics, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ahmad Reza
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Baghestani
mesh_terms: D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications*; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014175:Translating
keywords: Farsi language; cerebral palsy; communication function; reliability; validity