Mini-EDACS: development of the Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System for young children with cerebral palsy

Diane Sellers, Lindsay Pennington, Liz Bryant, Kath Benfer, Kelly Weir, Sonia Aboagye, Christopher Morris

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to develop and test Mini‐EDACS to describe developing eating and drinking abilities of children with CP aged between 18 and 36 months. The existing Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS) was modified to define Mini-EDACS content.

Methods: Mini-EDACS was developed in 3 stages: i) EDACS was modified after application to videos of standardised feeding evaluations of children with CP aged 18-36 months (n=130); ii) refined content and validity of Mini‐EDACS was established through an international Delphi survey; iii) inter‐observer reliability was assessed by comparing Mini-EDACS levels assigned by speech and language therapists (SaLTs) from video data and parent report.

Results: Mini‐EDACS provides age‐appropriate descriptions for children 18-36 months with CP. 89 stakeholders participated in the Delphi survey; required levels of agreement were met after one round (i.e. >80% agreement). 13 SaLTs completed paired ratings from 43 video recordings: absolute agreement: 58%; kappa: 0.43; ICC: 0.78 (95% CI 0.63-0.87).

Interpretation: Mini-EDACS provides a valid system for classifying eating and drinking performance of children with CP under three years old. Results suggests moderate agreement and good reliability when rating Mini-EDACS level from video recordings of young children with CP.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)897 - 906
Number of pages10
JournalDevelopmental Medicine and Child Neurology
Volume64
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 Jan 2022

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