FDS Individual Scores: Answers from the following nine
individual categories included in the overall FDS were also analyzed.
Answers from FDS1 were most often included in this analysis. However,
the range of responses selected for each question included responses
from any available FDSs (FDS1 through FDS3).
Education/Employment : Regarding education, 75% of subjects (9
of 12) attended a special school or had special education classes (Table
4). Responses ranged from “regular school grade-appropriate for age
(within 2 years)” to “special school or special education classes”,
with no participants selecting “no formal schooling. Concerning
employment, the most often selected response was sheltered workshop
(i.e., works at an institution dedicated to disabled employees) (50%, 2
of 4); however, responses ranged from a special job (i.e., works at a
conventional workplace, but requires special supervision) to unable to
work/homebound. From FDS1 to FSD2, 5 subjects’ scores in
education/employment increased, 1 decreased, and 3 did not change.
Speech: The most often selected response was speech
understandable, but with difficulty (37.5%, 6 of 16) with responses
ranging from no verbal communication to detectable speech disturbance
but easily understood. None of the participants selected normal speech.
From FDS1 to FDS2, 1 participant’s score for speech increased, 2
decreased, and 6 did not change.
Diet: The most often selected response was “normal
swallowing” (5 of 16), with responses ranging from “normal
swallowing” to “tube feedings only”. From FDS1 to FDS2, 2
participants’ scores in diet increased, 5 decreased, and 2 did not
change.
Dressing: The most often selected response was total dependence
(50%, 8 of 16) with responses ranging from independent with decreased
efficiency to total dependence. From FDS1 to FDS2, 3 participants’
scores in dressing decreased and 6 did not change.
Toilet: The most often selected response was “total
dependence” (9 of 16) with responses ranging from “normal” to “total
dependence”. From FDS1 to FDS2, 1 participant’s score for toileting
increased, 3 decreased, and 5 did not change.
Drawing/Writing: The most often selected response was can
scribble but cannot draw or write letters (62.5%, 10 of 16), with
responses ranging from can draw or write letters to cannot reach for and
grasp writing utensil. None of the subjects were reported to be able to
write/draw normally for their age. From FDS1 to FDS2, 3 participants’
scores for drawing/writing increased, 2 decreased, and 4 did not change.
Walking: The most often selected response was “wheelchair or
bedbound” (56%, 9 of 16), with responses ranging from can walk a few
steps, but needs adaptive aids or other support to wheelchair or
bedbound. From FDS1 to FDS2, 1 participant’s score for walking
increased, 3 decreased, and 5 did not change.
Sitting: The most often selected response was “cannot sit
without support” (87.5%, 14 of 16). From FDS1 to FDS2, 1 participant’s
score for sitting decreased and the remaining 8 did not change.
Breathing: The most often selected response was normal
breathing (62.5%, 10 of 16), with responses ranging from normal
breathing to intermittent use of non-invasive respiratory support. None
of the participants selected ventilator or constant respiratory support.
From FDS1 to FDS2, 1 participant’s score for breathing increased, 1
decreased, and 7 did not change.