Conceptualization and measurement of disablement in infants and young children

The article describes a working model for conceptualization of disablement in infants and young children. A series of adult disablement models is reviewed, and suggestions are made for the adaptation of these models for the description of childhood disablement. The usefulness of this working model is illustrated through a discussion of the development of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, a new functional assessment instrument for infants and young children. This working model can serve as the foundation for future measurement innovations in childhood disablement for the purpose of improved diagnosis, discrimination, and evaluation.