The Assisting Hand Assessment Certification

The Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) is now a well-established and frequently used evaluative tool to measure how effectively children with unilateral hand dysfunction actually use their involved hand collaboratively with their well-functioning hand to perform bimanual tasks. For the child the AHA is an enjoyable 10 to 15 minute semi-structured play session using a test-kit of selected toys requiring bimanual use. The AHA is then scored from structured video recordings of the observable performance skills during this play. The AHA measurement contains twenty items scored on a four-point rating scale. The outcome is an evaluative interval level measure, which together with the individual child’s response profile, can guide intervention.  AHA is a standardized test intended for children with unilateral Cerebral Palsy or Brachial Plexus Palsy between the ages of 18 months and 12 years. A teenage- and adult version is currently being developed.

Validity and reliability of the AHA scores are well documented in several studies. The AHA has been used as the principal outcome measure in several studies e.g. in studies evaluating Constraint Induced Movement Therapy, and has demonstrated evidence of responsiveness to change. With the AHA also longitudinal development of hand function has been studied.  Welcome to visit the web site www.ahanetwork.se for more information.

The course teaches the Assisting Hand Assessment Version 5.0. It is conducted in two steps. First, a 2½-day training course is given including information about the test construct, testing procedure and scoring practice on a range of children from videos. A manual with detailed scoring criteria and a computer based scoring form is provided. To achieve certification, the participant is to complete six additional cases and get satisfactory results. Some of these from videos provided on a web based e-learning platform, and some self-produced AHA play sessions. Individual feedback of these cases is provided. The AHA test kit for children between 18 months and 12 years with specific toys can be ordered from Handfast Inc, at the course or later during the certification procedure.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Demonstrate the set up, conduct and video record an Assisting Hand Assessment session and produce reliable scores according to the criteria in the manual Verbalize the concept and construct of the test and its psychometric properties Interpret and communicate the outcome of the test.

Location

Texas Children's Hospital
Feigin Center
1102 Bates, 14th floor conference room D
Houston, Texas 77030

Cost

$750

Earned

16.75 contact hours

Instructor

Lena Krumlinde-Sundholm, Reg OT, PhD, Associate Professor is an Occupational Therapist and a senior researcher at the Neuropediatric unit, Department of Woman’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm.

Itinerary

Day 1

8:30-9:00         Registration and continental breakfast

9:00-10:15       Introduction about the concept, theoretical background and development of the test

10:15-10:30     Break

10:30-12:00     Definitions of the test items and scoring criteria

12-1                 Lunch

1-2:30              Continued; definitions of the test items and scoring criteria

2:30-2:45         Break

2:45-4:00         Scoring of children

4:00-5:00         How to set up the test situation

Day 2

9:00-10:15       Validity, reliability and responsiveness to change

10:15-10:30     Break

10:30-12:00     Scoring of small children 18 months – 5 years

12:00-1:00       Lunch

1:00-2:30         Test situation with older children

2:30-2:45         Break

2:45-5:00         Scoring of older children 6-12 years

Day 3

8:30-9:00         Certification procedure

9:00-10:30       Scoring of children

.10:30-10:45    Break

10:45-11:45     AHA in the perspective of  ICF and other tests

11:45-12:30     Concluding remarks

Hotel

Wyndham Medical Center
6800 Main
Houston, Texas 77030

  • Nightly rate: $109.00 (price varies based on room availability)
  • Reservations or contact Jade LeBeauf at 713-577-1230
Contact

Angela Dumas
832-826-6311
courseregistration@texaschildrens.org