Miller Function and Participation Scales (M-FUN)

Title of Assessment

Miller Function and Participation Scales (M-FUN)

Author(s)

Lucy Jane Miller

Year of Publication/Publisher

2006, Pearson Assessments

Identify Type of Assessment

norm-referenced, performance-based, occupation-based, criterion-referenced, observation-based\

Cost (identify source) & How to Access Assessment (include link if possible)

Complete Kit = $664.90 (Includes User's Manual (Print), Administration Directions Manual (Print), 25 Record Forms for ages 2:6-3:11 (Print), 25 Record Forms for ages 4:0-7:11 (Print), 25 Workbooks for ages 2:6-3:11 (Print), 25 Workbooks for ages 4:0-7:11 (Print), 25 Home Observation Checklists (Print), 25 Classroom Observation Checklists (Print), Complete Manipulative Set (origami templates, bright marker, ball, stopwatch, child's bank, red felt-tipped pen, scissors, 18" string, #2 pencil, colored modeling clay, 3 8-oz plastic glasses, metal table spoon, 2 washcloths, clear adhesive tape, masking tape, 3 4x4 mats)

https://www.pearsonassessments.com/en-us/Store/Professional-Assessments/Developmental-Early-Childhood/Miller-Function-and-Participation-Scales/p/100000557 

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

Ages 2.6-7.11 years old

Developmental delay and motor impairment concerns

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

School-based, outpatient pediatric clinic, early intervention

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

To determine how a child’s motor capabilities affect their ability to engage in home, school, or social activities. It can also be used to track progress and guide intervention.

Visual Motor Integration

 Fine Motor Skills

 Gross Motor Skills

 Participation in home, school, and test environments

Administration (time to administer, group/individual, if there are subtests, can they be completed individually, are there specific instructions to ensure standardization, etc.)

45–60 minutes for the full assessment; 20–30 minutes for each subtest

Individual administration.

 17 performance-based activities (7 visual motor, 5 fine motor, 5 gross motor for ages 4–7:11; 15 activities for ages 2:6–3:11)

  - Three participation checklists (home, classroom, test observation)

User Qualifications 

Training / Qualifications: (needs to be familiar with developmental motor performance)

Occupational therapists

Physical therapists

Special education teachers

Early interventionists 

Materials Required 

•Test Materials:

•M-FUN administration directions

•Record form

•Workbook

•Manipulatives:

•Origami templates (ages2:6-3:11 chicken & owl) 

•Large preschool sized bright marker/highlighter w/ point tip

•Ball 

•Stopwatch/watch/clock

•Childs bank

•Red-felt-tipped pen; medium point

•Child size scissors

•18 inch string

•number 2 pencil

•Colored modeling clay/therapeutic putty

•Three 8oz plastic glasses

•2-4 napkins

• Medium-sized metal spoon

•2 terry cloth wash cloths

•Clear adhesive tape 

•Masking tape

•Three 4"x4" mats made from a non-slip material

•10 pennies

•20oz bottle of water

• Bite-sized snack crackers in a zip closure clear sandwich bag

Scoring Procedure (how is assessment scored and what does score indicate) 

Standardized administration is required for reliability and validity[2][5].

- **Scoring:** Performance items scored 0–3 or 0–2; checklists use frequency ratings[2][4].

Scoring system: For the performance component, each game/activity is scored on a 0-2 or 0-3 scale (some activities fall on the 0-2 scale)

0 indicates unable to perform the task

1 indicates partial mastery

2 indicates moderate mastery 

3 indicates perfect mastery

Scores are totaled to provide the overall score

For the participation component, an observation checklist is used:

Almost always successful

Frequently successful 

Occasionally successful

Seldom successful

Not observed

Psychometrics/Standardization (norms, reliability/validity studies)

Excellent interater reliability for Visual Motor Test (ICC = 0.91), Fine Motor Test (ICC = 0.93), Gross Motor Test (ICC = 0.91)

Excellent internal consistency for children with motor delay for Visual Motor Test (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.92),  Fine Motor Test (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.93), Gross Motor test (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.96)

Excellent test-retest reliability for Visual Motor Test (ICC = 0.77), Fine Motor Test (ICC = 0.82), and Gross Motor Test (ICC = 0.77)

Strengths & Weaknesses of Assessment 

Strengths:

Engaging for children

Strong link between motor skills and daily participation, occupation and function based

Weaknesses:

Need to be aware of attention span of child for the long duration of the assessment

Materials are expensive

Not as usable with children with severe impairments

References

Bassett, B. & Calderon, C. (2025). Miller Function & Participation Scales (M-FUN). [Powerpoint Presentation]. Kodiak Western New England University.

Fogarty, C., Mona, C., & Martinez, D. (2025). M-Fun Lucy Jane Miller. [Canva Presentation]. Canva. https://www.canva.com/design/DAGr1aXOjiw/Gv_dNsjn5LJEf6fGp07yAA/edit 

Pearson. (n.d.). Miller Function and Participation Scales. Pearson. https://www.pearsonassessments.com/en-us/Store/Professional-Assessments/Developmental-Early-Childhood/Miller-Function-and-Participation-Scales/p/100000557 

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. (2017, April 14). Miller Function & Participation Scales. Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. https://www.sralab.org/rehabilitation-measures/miller-function-participation-scales