Integrating the ICF and the F-Words Framework to Support Family-Centered Pediatric Care for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Narrative Review

Background: Family-centered care is a core principle of contemporary pediatric health and rehabilitation, particularly for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Con-ceptual frameworks that emphasize functioning, participation, and contextual factors are essential for operationalizing this approach in clinical practice. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and the F-words framework are widely referenced models aligned with these principles; however, their practical integration within family-centered pediatric care remains challenging. The objective of this narrative review was to examine how the ICF and the F-words framework are ap-plied in pediatric neurorehabilitation, to identify conceptual and practical limitations, and to explore strategies that may enhance their use in family-centered care. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. English-language publications published between 2005 and 2025 were identified using keywords related to the ICF, the F-words framework, neurode-velopmental disorders, childhood disability, and cerebral palsy. Eligible sources in-cluded original research articles, systematic, scoping, and narrative reviews, valida-tion studies, expert reports, and clinical practice guidelines. Articles were selected based on relevance to family-centered pediatric care and the integration of the ICF and F-words frameworks. Results: A short summary of the article’s main findings Thir-ty-one publications were included, representing a broad range of theoretical, empirical, and clinical perspectives. The findings indicate increasing use of both the ICF and the F-words framework in pediatric rehabilitation and family-centered care. However, persistent challenges were identified, including conceptual ambiguity, overlap be-tween frameworks, limited standardization, difficulties in outcome measurement, and inconsistent involvement of families in clinical decision-making. Conclusions: The ICF and the F-words framework offer complementary strengths for supporting fami-ly-centered pediatric care. A structured, integrated approach may improve shared de-cision-making, communication with families, and participation-focused care. Further methodological refinement and practice-oriented guidance are needed to support their consistent and effective implementation in everyday clinical settings.