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A milestone for the ICF Core Sets for autism spectrum disorder
Almost 10 years ago, the ICF Core Sets for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were developed. Since then, Prof. Sven Bölte and colleagues at Karolinska Institute (Sweden) have operationalized the core sets in self- and proxy versions as well as on a digital platform. Validation studies have been conducted, and most recently, a randomised pilot trial has been initiated to evaluate the acceptability and the usability of the self-report version of the ICF Core Sets for Autism Strengths and Needs Asessment in adult diagnostic services. This is a major milestone and part of a success story of the ICF Core Sets for ASD.
The open-access publication on the study can be accessed here: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/16/3/e103303?rss=1.
Day M, Scargill K, Poole D, Kellar I, Young TA, Bölte S, Clarke S, Lodge KM, Woods A, Freeth M. Feasibility of the ICF CoreSets for Autism Strengths and Needs Assessment in NHS diagnostic services in England: protocol for a randomised pilot trial. BMJ Open. 2026 Mar 3;16(3):e103303.
ICF Core Sets for Vision Loss
Millions of people worldwide live with visual impairment, which profoundly affects daily functioning, participation, and quality of life. Until recently, no ICF Core Set specific for vision loss had existed (beyond the ICF Core Sets for deafblindness). This gap in the ICF framework has now been filled.
An international project
The development of the ICF Core Sets for Vision Loss is a global initiative led by a scientific team from Amsterdam UMC (Lorenzo Billiet, Prof. Ruth van Nispen, and Dr. Hilde Van der Aa) and Ghent University (Prof. Dominique van de Velde and Dr. Stijn de Baets), in collaboration with organizations and various blindness organizations worldwide.
The project included an extensive preparatory phase with a systematic literature review, qualitative research, expert and patient surveys, and an international consensus conference. This resulted in two sets:
- Comprehensive Core Set: 110 codes covering all relevant aspects, including those important for advocacy and policy
- Brief Core Set: 12 key codes, ideal for individual clinical encounters
The full sets are available via this link: https://osf.io/7xea3
For more information, feel free to contact the scientific lead Lorenzo Billiet at l.billiet@amsterdamumc.nl.
Next available German-language ICF Workshops
The next available German-language ICF workshops conducted by the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Germany will take place online. The 2-day (3.5 hours/day) workshop will cover a wide range of topics and comprises a basic module as well as specific modules.
Day 1: Basic module – 8 trainings sessions in in-person trainings or 3.5 hours in online trainings
Day 2: Advanced modules (optional) – 4 training sessions in in-person trainings or 3.5 hours in online trainings
Further information about the workshops and the registration form can be found here:
http://ihrs.ibe.med.uni-muenchen.de/veranstaltungen/icf_schulung1/index.html.