Validation of the Arabic Version of Feeding Handicap Index for Children with Developmental Disabilities (A-FHI-C).
Nesreen Fathi Mahmoud, Zeinab Mohammed, Hassnaa Othman Mohammed and 1 others
PMID 38564065WHAT IT FOUND
Parents of children with autism, cerebral palsy, or intellectual disability reported significantly more severe feeding problems on the new Arabic Feeding Handicap Index than parents of typically developing children.
The questionnaire showed strong consistency and stability, making it a reliable tool for assessing feeding impacts in Arabic-speaking families.
Key findings
01The Arabic version of the Feeding Handicap Index demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.947) and good test-retest reliability (ICC 0.850) in the study sample.
02Children with developmental disabilities scored significantly higher (indicating more severe feeding handicaps) than typically developing children across physical, functional, emotional, and total domains.
03The A-FHI-C showed strong convergent validity with the Arabic Pedi-EAT-10 scale, correlating significantly with it.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study did not compare the questionnaire results directly with instrumental assessments like videofluoroscopy or FEES, so its accuracy in detecting actual physiological swallowing defects is not established. The sample included only children aged 2 to 10, so the tool is not validated for adolescents or infants. The control group was small (31 children) compared to the clinical groups, and the study was conducted at a single university center, which may limit generalizability. Some items in the original English version required clarification during the pilot phase, suggesting potential cultural or linguistic nuances in how parents interpret certain questions.
Declared interests
Funded by Beni Suef University. No other conflicts of interest were reported.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume this questionnaire diagnoses dysphagia or identifies the physiological cause of feeding problems. It measures parent-perceived handicap and impact on daily life, not the actual safety or efficiency of the swallow, so it cannot replace instrumental assessments like FEES or videofluoroscopy for clinical decision-making.