Miller Function and Participation Scales (M-FUN)-

Author(s): Lucy Jane Miller, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Year of Publication: 2006

Publisher: NCS Pearson  

Identify Type of Assessment: Performance tasks and observation-based

Cost: $591 

Population: Children  2.6 years through 7.11 years who show signs of mild to severe motor delays

Appropriate Settings: School, clinic, office, or sheltered area of home with minimal distractions. A child-size table and chairs and safe ground for gross motor activities. 

Purpose of Assessment and Function Areas Assessed: Assessment was developed to determine how motor ability affects children’s ability to engage in home and school activities and participate socially within their environment. 

Time to administer: 20-30 minutes for each subtest or 45-60 minutes to complete the entire assessment. 5-10 minutes to complete each observations checklist.

Administration and components: Test has tasks or “games” that simulate functional fine and gross motor skills. Performance components use workbook and play activities. Participation components use observation checklists completed by teachers and caregivers who are familiar with the child’s behavioral patterns. Assessment begins by determining appropriate workbook to use for child’s age, establishing rapport, and completing warm-up activity and practice item. Points are assigned for different aspects of demonstrated motor skill. Scores for most items range from 0 (unable to perform) to 3 (mastery). Observations checklist is criterion referenced against a standard of typical motor behaviors; participation behaviors in various settings or contexts during naturally occurring activities are rated as average, below average, or far below average. 

User Qualifications: There are no specific qualifications besides understanding the instructions in the manual.

Materials Required: Observations checklists, manual, record forms, workbooks, manipulatives (e.g., plastic glasses, modeling clay, scissors, tape, ball, foam squares, washcloths), clear sealable plastic bag, bottled water, crackers, napkins, pennies, and stopwatch.

Scoring Procedure: Skills analysis chart on record form is used to record total scored for each game, as well as scaled scored, percentile ranks, and age equivalents for visual-motor, fine motor, and gross motor tests. There is a neurological foundation profile that can also be done. Score differences show strengths and weakness in motor areas. Points are compared with age chart. 

Psychometrics/Standardization: Reliability: Test-retest reliability coefficients of 3 motor areas ranged from 0.77 to 0.88. Internal consistency reliability coefficients for all age groups in participation and performance components ranged from 0.67 to 0.98. Interrater reliability was high for 3 motor areas, ranging from 0.91 to 0.93.

Validity: Intercorrelation studies suggest that areas assessed may be differentiated in children aged 2.5 through 7 years. Clinical validation studies indicate that M-FUN-PS is highly sensitive to motor difficulties of children identified as having motor delays. Diagnostic validity statistics reveal excellent sensitivity and good specificity when testing a referral population.

Strengths: This assessment looks at a variety of environments that the child is in. Past research shows that this is a highly used assessment by professionals.

Weaknesses: Some kids environment changes more frequently than others so more testing would need to be done in these new environments.