Miller Function and Participation Scales (M-FUN)

Title of Assessment

Miller Function and Participation Scales (M-FUN)

Author(s)

Lucy Jane Miller, PhD, OTR, FAOTA

Year of Publication / Publisher

2006, Pearson

Identify Type of Assessment

Standardized, norm-referenced, performance-based motor and participation assessment

Cost (identify source) & How to Access

The complete kit costs approximately $664.90. Additional materials such as record forms and manuals are available separately. The assessment can be purchased through Pearson Clinical Assessments.

Assessment

The M-FUN includes both direct performance-based tasks ("games") and caregiver/teacher observational checklists to assess motor function and participation in home and school environments.

Population (who it is appropriate for [age, diagnosis, etc.])

Designed for children aged 2 years, 6 months through 7 years, 11 months. It is appropriate for children with mild to moderate motor delays, developmental delays, or coordination disorders.

Appropriate Settings (potential practice settings appropriate to administer assessment in)

• Pediatric occupational or physical therapy clinics
  
  

• Early intervention settings
  
  

• School-based therapy programs
  
  

• Outpatient developmental assessment centers
  
  

• Research and evaluation contexts
  
  

Purpose of Assessment & Function(s)/Area(s) Assessed

The M-FUN assesses a child’s functional motor abilities and participation in home and school activities. It evaluates:

• Fine motor
  
  

• Visual-motor integration
  
  

• Gross motor
  It also captures how motor skills affect performance and participation in daily routines and educational contexts.
  
  

Administration

• Time: Approximately 40–60 minutes for performance tasks; 5–10 minutes for each observation form
  
  

• Format: Individually administered
  
  

• Observation checklists completed by caregivers and/or teachers
  
  

• Includes structured tasks designed to resemble play and daily routines
  
  

• Requires manipulatives and standardized materials
  
  

User Qualifications

Requires Level B qualifications. Typically administered by licensed professionals such as occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists, or other trained evaluators.

Materials Required

• Examiner’s manual
  
  

• Record forms
  
  

• Stimulus and activity materials (e.g., scissors, paper, ball, coins)
  
  

• Classroom and home participation checklists
  
  

Scoring Procedure

• Tasks are scored on scales (e.g., 0–2 or 0–3) based on performance
  
  

• Raw scores are converted into scaled scores, standard scores, percentiles, and age equivalents
  
  

• Generates composite motor index scores and participation profiles
  
  

• Scoring forms provide interpretive ranges for functional classification
  
  

Psychometrics / Standardization (norms, reliability/validity studies)

• Normative sample: 414 children across the United States
  
  

• Test–retest reliability: ICCs ranging from .77 to .82
  
  

• Inter-rater reliability: ICCs from .91 to .93
  
  

• Internal consistency: α = .85–.96 across subtests
  
  

• Demonstrated validity through significant correlations with related assessments such as the MAP and DTVP-2
  
  

• Sensitivity ranges from .69 to .89; specificity from .80 to 1.00 for detecting developmental concerns
  
  

Strengths & Weaknesses of Assessment

Strengths

• Combines motor performance with real-life participation measures
  
  

• Engaging, play-based tasks appropriate for young children
  
  

• Validated and reliable scoring structure
  
  

• Useful for treatment planning, documentation, and eligibility decisions
  
  

• Provides both quantitative and qualitative insights
  
  

Weaknesses

• Requires a variety of materials and space for testing
  
  

• Administration is time-intensive
  
  

• Normative data only extends to age 7 years, 11 months
  
  

• Some components are criterion-referenced rather than norm-referenced