The Assessment of life habits (LIFE-H) is a questionnaire that is used to collect information on all life habits that people carry out in their environment (home, workplace or school, neighborhood) to ensure their survival and development in society throughout their lifetime. In other words, based on the perspective of the person or respondent, the LIFE-H measures the accomplishment of life habits and identifies the disabling situations experienced.

Anyone, regardless of age, cultural context, impairments or disabilities, can respond to the LIFE-H. After filling the LIFE-H questionnaire, these people will easily be able to assess their degree of responsiveness to social participation.

Although certain life habits are sometimes carried out differently or with the use of technical aids, adaptation or human assistance, overall, these people carry out the same daily activities and fulfill the same social roles as those without disabilities. If necessary, people can be partially or fully supported by a respondent or caregiver in order to complete the LIFE-H.

Three different applications of LIFE-H:

• Children from birth to 4 years of age
• Children from 5 to 13 years of age
• General (teenagers, adults and seniors)

Three user guides were developed to facilitate the administration of the Assessment of Life habits (LIFE-H). For each life habits, the guides propose an analysis of the different tasks composing it with, if need be, further details showing how it can be carried out, as well as examples of quotation regarding the accomplishment level and the types of assistance required.

The life habits

The Assessment of Life Habits (LIFE-H) includes twelve categories of life habits, which are comprised in “daily activities” or “social roles”.

The realization of these life habits takes into account the motor, sensory, language, psychological, cognitive and behavioral aspects.

Modes of administration of the questionnaire

LIFE-H can be administered in a variety of ways, depending on the capabilities of the respondent, the information needs and the context. However, situations exist where the instructions and statements complexity limit or prevent people from answering this assessment tool. If necessary, people can be partially or fully supported by a respondent or caregiver in order to complete the LIFE-H. This choice is important because it guarantees the validity of the information collected from the respondent.

Three modes of administration of LIFE-H are proposed:

• In an autonomous way by the person itself;
• By the person with the support of a relative, of a significant other or a service provider;
• By a service provider.

The mode of administration “in an autonomous way by the person, a relative or a significant other” should always be privileged when possible. The mode of administration “by a service provider” should be employed only if the person does not meet the respondent identification criteria of methods1 and 2.

LIFE-H 3.0 VS 4.0

LIFE-H is available in two versions, 3.0 and 4.0. The LIFE-H 4.0 is a result of more than five years of research and experimentation aimed at improving the accuracy of its measurement scales of human aid intensity and difficulty in achieving it. This improvement makes it possible to measure the changes that are neater to achieve the realization of the habits of life. In addition, the form includes content that better reflects the diversity of the realities of people with physical disabilities, intellectual deficits, and pervasive developmental disorders.

All versions of LIFE-H 4.0 (children 0-4 years, children 5-13 years old and general) are accompanied by a user guide to facilitate the use of the form. For LIFE-H 3.0, there is only a user guide for children aged 5 to 13 years.

Considering that the LIFE-H 4.0 form is a new product, it is available in English and French only. For LIFE-H 3.0, questionnaires are available in multiple languages ​​depending on the version.

Get more information on the questionnaire offer in different languages.

Has the tool been validated?

Below is an application guide (only available in french) for LIFE-H 3.0 that includes all the scientific activities that have been carried out to validate the content of the tool. The validation guide only includes activities for children 5-13 years and for adults.