Test-retest reliability of Family L.I.F.E. (Looking Into Family Experiences): an occupation-based assessment

OBJECTIVE. We examined the test-retest reliability of Family L.I.F.E. (Looking Into Family Experiences) for consistency in identifying occupations desired by families with a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and we compared the perceived efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction ratings of those occupations for the families. METHOD. Family L.I.F.E. was administered initially and 1 wk later via interview to 13 families with a child with ASD. RESULTS. Ninety-two percent of the families identified the same occupations as important at test and retest. Wilcoxon signed-rank test indicated no change in the families' perceived efficiency and effectiveness of those occupations, and Spearman's correlations indicated strong relationships. A decrease in satisfaction was noted. CONCLUSION. For families with a child with ASD, desired family occupations and efficiency and effectiveness ratings are likely to remain consistent and are highly linked on retest using Family L.I.F.E. At second interview using this instrument, families with a child with ASD may report decreased satisfaction in desired family occupations.