Direct measurements of performance include:

• Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS-2): This is a revised “throw-back” to long-standing developmental motor tests. Its normative sample and validation are impressive; however, it is only for young children.
• Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM): This is a clinicianadministered test of gross motor function that quantifies how much motor function a child can demonstrate in a structured setting. It is objective and reliable and takes <1 hour to administer and score; however, it shows a ceiling effect for more functional children.
• Gait analysis: see following section 

Measurement of what the child says they can do:

• Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCIAdolescent): This measure is framed from the family perspective, not that of the physician. Evaluates global function, expectations, happiness, satisfaction with symptoms. This instrument fills a large void in pediatric rehabilitation and evaluates a child with a disability in the context of everyday life; however, manual scoring is cumbersome and questions may not be appropriate for nonambulatory children. 

Ask the professional what the child can do:

• Pediatric version of the Functional Independence Measure (WeeFIM): This instrument is a general inventory of health status that can be completed by one or more professionals. It is a simple, well-established test; however, it shows a ceiling effect for less involved children. 
• Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI): The PEDI is a new functional assessment instrument for the evaluation of disabled children aged 6 months to 7 years. The PEDI has been developed to identify functional status and change along three dimensions: (1) functional skill level, (2) caregiver assistance and (3) modifications or adaptive equipment used. 

Measures the expectations and satisfaction with treatment:

• Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI): See above 
• Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)