The r-FLACC is an adapted version of the FLACC scale for children with cognitive impairments. It includes individualized pain behaviors based on the child’s usual expressions and responses, making it more personalized for non-verbal children.
Key Measures
- Personalized Pain Behaviors: Custom descriptors for each child
- Pain Intensity: 0 (No Pain) to 10 (Severe Pain)
- Best for: Non-verbal children with neurological disabilities
Access the r-FLACC Scale
Pros of using the r-FLACC Scale
✅ Tailored for children with disabilities – Takes into account unique pain responses specific to the child.
✅ More reliable for non-verbal children – Adjustments help reduce misinterpretation of pain.
✅ Can be used in multiple settings – Suitable for hospital, home, and therapy environments.
Cons of using the r-FLACC Scale
❌ Requires customization – Caregivers must document a child’s typical vs. pain-related behaviors, which takes time.
❌ Still relies on observation – Like the original FLACC, it depends on caregiver interpretation rather than self-report.
❌ May be inconsistent between caregivers – Different people might score the same child differently, reducing reliability.