Item generation for the feeding and swallowing assessment tool for Indian children

Objectives: Recognizing the lack of standardized tools to assess feeding and swallowing in Indian children with developmental disabilities, this study aimed at generating items for a tool that addresses the unique dietary habits, feeding practices, and clinical presentations observed in Indian paediatric populations. Methods: Mealtime video analyses, caregiver interviews, and a focus group discussion with Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) were used to develop Version 1 of the feeding and swallowing assessment tool for Indian children (FASAT-IC). Content validation by experts guided modifications to develop Version 2. The modified tool was pilot-tested on a group of typically-developing children without feeding/swallowing difficulties and a group of children with developmental disabilities and feeding/swallowing difficulties. Further modifications were made based on pilot study findings to develop Version 3. Results: Version 3 of FASAT-IC includes 84 items. It consists of a caregiver interview section and a mealtime observation section which includes feeding, swallowing, sensory, and caregiver-child dynamics sub-sections. Conclusions: This study details the initial development process of a tool applicable to Indian children with developmental disabilities aged 2;0 to 5;11 years, designed to be administered by SLPs in a variety of clinical practice settings for early identification of feeding/swallowing difficulties in children.