Instruments assessing mobility of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and decision map.

Only 11 studies were eligible, so many instruments were judged from limited evidence. Most measurement properties had low or very low evidence because of risk of bias and imprecision. No included study evaluated responsiveness, so the review cannot tell whether these tools detect change after therapy. Diagnosis methods, functional classification, and support level were poorly reported in the included studies. No study evaluated all COSMIN measurement properties, and cross-cultural adaptation was rarely assessed. The review required more than 50% of participants to have autism spectrum disorder, so findings may not apply to children with other neurodevelopmental disorders. Instruments varied in the mobility aspects they measured and in age range, limiting direct comparison.

Do not read the high evidence for DCDQ, VABS, and PEDI-CAT as proof that these instruments improve mobility or guide treatment effectiveness. This review assessed measurement properties only, and many instruments had low or very low evidence.