A more holistic approach to autism using the International Classification of Functioning: The why, what, and how of functioning

Risk and resilience in developmental diversity: Protocol of developing ICF core sets

“…In a climate of person-centered practice, where health professionals are encouraged to view the person holistically (World Health Organization, 2015), focusing solely on risk fundamentally neglects half of a person. By examining resilience alongside risk, these Core Sets will provide a basis for work that holistically captures an individual—not just their risk factors and deficits, facilitating more truly person-centered practices (Bölte, 2022). This shifting view also aligns more closely with ideas of neurodiversity, which suggest that being neurodivergent is more complex than simply having a disease or disorder and is instead a different way of thinking and being that brings with it both challenges and strengths (Chapman, 2019; Kapp et al, 2013).…”

“…Developing a shared understanding of positive functional outcome, the factors contributing to risk and resilience, and how bio-psycho-social factors influence the resilience process, are vital in providing a foundation for work that holistically captures both risks in developmental diversity and positive adaptation. However, capturing the complexities of resilience is challenging, and it is clear that a bio-psycho-social approach is required to adequately describe the factors that contribute to and influence resilience in developmental diversity (Bölte, 2022). The World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Functioning (ICF) and its Child and Youth version (World Health Organization, 2007), designed to capture the functioning of developing individuals (i.e.…”

Harmonizing Big Data in Mental Health Research: A Proof-of-Principle in the R2D2-MH Consortium Using the International Classification of Functioning (ICF)

“…Transforming symptomology and psychopathology-based data through a functioning framework may also support research outcomes to be more readily applicable to the day-to-day needs and challenges experienced by individuals and families 38 . Stakeholder perspectives on research are increasingly important for scientists to consider, and there are demands to ensure that research outputs are palatable to community stakeholders.…”

“…Importantly under these approaches, all individuals can experience positive outcomes. At a more fundamental level, it is also increasingly recognized that examining strengths and positive outcome alongside de cit and risk is required for person-centered support and a more holistic understanding of neurodivergence 38 .…”

What’s in a name? The costs and benefits of a formal autism diagnosis

“…Such universal measures can be adopted in schools and other settings where we know autistic people experience difficulties -including, of course, diagnostic clinics. In recent editorials, my colleagues have pointed out the value of adopting ecological models (Bölte, 2023;Mandy, 2023) and applying universal design principles (Manning et al, 2023) and these frameworks provide important ways for us to move forward without needing to be bound to diagnostic structures.…”