Objective: Measurement of outcomes is important, providing accurate and useful information to consumers, service-providers, managers, policymakers and researchers. Assessment tools evaluate particular attributes of the individual and should have sound psychometric properties. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) has recently been developed and endorsed by the World Health Organization, and provides an extremely useful framework for selecting appropriate assessment tools. All aspects of a child's health and functioning at the organ system, individual and societal levels are considered. Furthermore, possible facilitators and obstacles to achieving functional independence that are either intrinsic to the child (personal factors) or extrinsic (environmental factors) are considered. Common assessment tools used in the clinical setting and in clinical research for children and youth with cerebral palsy will be briefly described. In particular, assessments such as the Gross Motor Function Measure and the Gross Motor Function Classification System and new quality of life measures developed specifically for this population of interest will be highlighted. Careful consideration of all levels of functioning and health and their determinants may be helpful in guiding program planning, interventions and health policy so as to optimize functional outcomes. In particular, key contextual factors such as community resources, family supports and the child's motivation are potentially modifiable, and therefore efforts to address personal and environmental obstacles may ultimately maximize a child's intrinsic functional potential. Current challenges to the adoption of a more holistic, client-centred approach to the evaluation of children's functioning and health will be a focus of this presentation.
