Turkish adaptation of the Miller Function and Participation Scales and investigation of the motor development of children aged 48-95 months

In this study, a validity and reliability research was carried out for a Turkish translation of Miller Function and Participation Scales, including an effort to assess motor development of children aged 48-95 months. The study group was formed through goal-oriented sampling. In order to determine the study group, criteria were established by taking into consideration the test application procedure; and a total of 262 children aged 48-95 months, including a group diagnosed with special education needs and showed motor development delay, attending primary schools, kindergartens, special education and rehabilitation centers affiliated to the Ministry of National Education in Istanbul province meeting these criteria were included in the study. Research data were collected using personal information form and Miller Function and Participation Scales. Gazi Early Childhood Development Assessment Tool and Frostig Developmental Visual Perception Test were used to determine the criterion validity of the Turkish version of the test. Within the scope of the validity study on Miller Function and Participation Scales, construct validity, its relationship with other variables, and clinical discriminant validity were demonstrated. In the reliability study, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and inter-rater correlation coefficients were calculated. In addition, the visual, fine and gross motor scores of the children were examined in terms of age, gender, having siblings and physical activity participation. Considering the results of the study, it was concluded that the Turkish version of Miller Function and Participation Scales is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the motor development of children aged 48-95 months. Comparisons of motor development of children in terms of age, showed that the scores of Miller Function and Participation Scales differed significantly according to age and that visual, fine and gross motor performances increased with age. It was found that the visual and fine motor scores of the test showed a significant difference according to the gender variable and the girls scored higher than the boys. Comparisons of motor development of children in terms of having sibling(s), showed that the gross motor scores of the children with siblings were significantly higher, but the visual and fine motor scores did not differ. Results showed that the visual, fine and gross motor scores of children attending a physical activity branch regularly, differed significantly from the scores of children who do not and their motor scores were higher. Results are discussed in light of the related literature.