Which of the following best describes the GMFCS?

• A. A measure of gait speed in short distances.
• B. A system that classifies severity of motor function limitations.
• C. A tool to classify cognitive development in cerebral palsy.
• D. A scale of speech-language pathology outcomes.

Answer: (B)

GMFCS is a standardized five-level system that classifies the severity of gross motor function limitations in cerebral palsy, based on what a person can self-initiate in terms of sitting, standing, and walking. It’s designed to describe overall mobility risk and function across development and is relatively stable over time, making it useful for prognosis and planning therapy goals. It does not measure how fast someone walks (gait speed), nor does it assess cognitive development or speech-language outcomes, which are separate domains. Therefore, the description that best fits GMFCS is a system that classifies severity of motor function limitations.