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Background.: Quality of life (QoL) is an important outcome of occupational therapy practice. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts the individual throughout their lifespan and may substantially affect QoL. Measuring QoL of people with ASD presents a challenge and a debate whether to use general versus disability-specific adapted measures. Purpose.: This paper aims to (a) revisit the construct of QoL and discuss specific dilemmas pertaining to its measurement, and (b) discuss implications to the assessment of QoL in individuals with ASD while highlighting the potential contribution of occupational therapy to the development of measures. Key Issues.: We suggest adding the domain of accessibility into QoL assessments, including, physical, sensory, social, and cognitive aspects, and to use disability-specific QoL measures. Implications.: The paper presents a call for occupational therapists to be involved in developing specific ASD disability-oriented measures that consider the unique characteristics of the disorder and environmental supports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design: Cross-sectional. Introduction: Stenosing flexor tenosynovitis (SFT) is a common hand disease, yet there is a lack of valid standard assessments for this population. Purpose of the study: Validation of assessment for the evaluation of disability and quality of life related to SFT clinical severity. Methods: Sixty five participants with SFT were matched to 71 controls. Participant's symptoms were graded using the Quinnell classification. Disability and quality of life were evaluated using the DASH and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires. Results: Small to moderate correlations were found between SFT grade and the DASH and WHOQOL-BREF. Both questionnaires differentiated between the first and third clinical grades and between SFT and healthy groups. Discussion: Both questionnaires are useful tools to distinguish between participants with SFT and controls and between mild and severe clinical grades. Conclusion: The DASH and WHOQOL-BREF may be implemented in the clinical management and research of SFT. Level of evidence: Diagnostic III [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary Objective: To examine the validity of the Color Trails Test (CTT), a culture- fair analogue of the Trails Test, in the pre-driver assessment of individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI)., Research Design: Retrospective study., Methods and Procedures: 30 participants with ABI completed the CTT and Useful Field of View (UFOV) in a driving rehabilitation clinic. Within the same week an on-road evaluation was conducted by a driving rehabilitation specialist, and a driving instructor., Results: 50% of the participants passed the on-road evaluation and 50% failed. Individuals who passed the on-road test performed the CTT1 and CTT2 faster than those who failed, however the difference between the pass/fail groups was significant only for the CTT1. A correlation analysis between the CTT subtests (CTT1 and CTT2) and the UFOV subtests revealed significant, moderate correlations between these measures., Conclusions: The CTT1 may contribute to the pre-driving screening by rapidly identifying those individuals who are most at risk for unsafe driving behaviors. Further studies are required with a larger representative sample.