Development of the “Children’s Occupational Performance Measurement (MIDO)” instrument for use with children aged 3 to 9 in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract

Occupational performance is a fundamental construct in occupational therapy; therefore, its assessment must consider not only the individual’s abilities but also the contextual factors that shape and give meaning to those abilities. While various instruments exist to assess childhood occupational performance, none have been specifically developed for the Argentine context. This study describes the initial development of the MIDO questionnaire, a tool designed to assess the occupational performance of children aged 3 to 9 years in this setting. Based on the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework of the American Occupational Therapy Association, the instrument was developed in three phases: item generation based on a survey of occupational therapists, content validation by professionals and caregivers, and a pilot study to assess clarity and feasibility. The final version includes 110 items grouped into 11 dimensions: personal hygiene and grooming, eating, dressing, toileting, rest and sleep, play, leisure and free time, social participation, school activities, functional mobility, and household tasks. Each item is rated using a 4-point Likert scale: 0 (no opportunity to perform the task), 1 (attempts but does not succeed), 2 (performs with assistance), and 3 (performs independently). Future research should focus on evaluating the questionnaire’s measurement properties to support its use as a valid and reliable tool in clinical, educational, and community settings.