Development of children and youth with disabilities and outcomes measurement. Her primary clinical practice focus has been in schools and other community programs serving children with emotional, behavioral, and cognitive disabilities.
The primary focus of her research program has been development of conceptually grounded, psychometrically sound measures of activity, participation, and environment. She has concentrated on developing measures for the field of rehabilitation that appropriately reflect individuals’ ability to engage in activities and participate in situations that are important for their satisfaction and well-being. Dr. Coster coauthored the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) and the School Function Assessment (SFA), two of the first standardized assessments designed to describe the functional abilities of children with disabling conditions. The PEDI became the gold standard for clinical trials examining interventions to improve function in children with cerebral palsy and other movement disorders and was translated into over 10 languages. The PEDI was subsequently revised and expanded into a computer adapted testing format, the PEDI-CAT. A version tailored for children and youth with an autism spectrum disorder was also developed and validated recently.
In addition to these projects, Dr. Coster also directed development and testing of the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth (PEM-CY), and she contributed to development of the Late-Life Function & Disability Instrument (LLFDI); and Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) for adults. Dr. Coster and her collaborators at the Health and Disability Research Institute (HDRI) have consistently been on the cutting edge of outcomes assessment, and their work has contributed significantly to the present health care emphasis on client-reported outcome measures that emphasize performance of the important tasks of daily life.
Publications
Chang, F-H, Ni, P., Coster, W.J., Whiteneck, G.G., & Jette, A.M. (2016). Measurement properties of a modified measure of participation for persons with spinal cord injury. Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. [Epub ahead of print]. DOI 10.1080/10790268.2016.1157956
AlHeresh, R., Keysor, J.J., Coster, W.J., Lavalley, M.P., & Vaughan, M. (in press). Critical appraisal of literature evaluating psychometric properties of arthritis work outcome assessments: A systematic review. Arthritis Care & Research.
Chang, F-H, Helfrich, C., Coster, W., & Rogers, E.S. (2015). Factors associated with community participation among Individuals who have experienced homelessness. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12(9), 11364-11378.
Chang, F-H, Coster, W.J., & Salzer, M., Brusilovskiy, E., Ni, P, & Jette, A.M. (2015 June). A multidimensional measure of participation for adults with serious mental illnesses. Disability and Rehabilitation. [Epub ahead of print].
Drummond, A.F., Gomes, A.M., Coster, W.J., & Mancini, M.C. (2015). Predictive factors of household task participation in Brazilian children and adolescents. OTJR, 35(2), 101-109.
Kramer, J.M., Liljenquist, K.S., & Coster, W.J. (2015 June). Validity, reliability and usability of the PEDI-CAT (ASD). Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. [Epub ahead of print]
Kramer, J.M., Liljenquist, K.S. Ni, P. & Coster, W.J. (2015). Examining differential responses of youth with and without autism on a measure of everyday activity performance. Quality of Life Research, 24(12), 2293-3000.
McDonough, C.M., Ni, P.S. Coster, W.J., Haley, S.M., & Jette, A.M. (2015 July). Development of an IRT-based short form to assess applied cognitive function in outpatient rehabilitation. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. [Epub ahead of print].
Coster, W.J., Kramer, J.M., Tian, F., Dooley, M., Liljenquist, K., Kao, Y.C., Ni, P. (2015 Jan). Evaluating the appropriateness of a new computer-administered measure of adaptive function for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders. Autism. [Epub ahead of print]
Kao, Y-C, Kramer, J.M., Liljenquist, K.S., & Coster, W.J. (2015). Association between impairment, function, and daily life task management in children and youth with autism. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology.57(1), 68-74.
Chang, F-H, & Coster, W.J. (2014). Conceptualizing the construct of participation in adults with disabilities. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 95(9), 1791-1798.
Cohn, E.S., Coster, W.J., & Kramer, J.M. (2014). Facilitated learning model to teach habits of evidence-based reasoning across an integrated Master of Science in Occupational Therapy curriculum. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68, S73–S82.
Anaby, D., Law, M., Coster, W., Bedell, G., Khetani, M., Avery, L., & Teplicky, R. (2014). The mediating role of the environment in explaining participation of children and youth with and without disabilities across home, school and community. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 95, 908-917.
Khetani, M., Marley, J., Baker, M., Albrecht, E., Bedell, G., Coster, W., Anaby, D., & Law, M. (2014). Validity of the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth (PEM-CY) for health impact assessment (HIA) in sustainable development projects. Disability and Health, 7(2), 226-235.
Amaral, M.F., Drummond, A.D., Coster, W.J. & Mancini, M.C. (2014). Household task participation of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and typical development. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 35(2), 414-422.
Kuo, M.H., Orsmond, G.I., Coster, W.J., & Cohn, E.S. (2013 Oct 18). Media use among adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Autism. [Epub ahead of print).
Kramer, J., Rubin, A., Coster, W., Helmuth, E., Hermos, J., Rosenbloom, D., Moed, R.…Lachowitz, M. T. (2014). Strategies to address the challenges of participant misrepresentation in web-based research. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 23, 120-129.
Coster, W. & Frolek Clark, G. (2013). Best practice in school occupational therapy evaluation. In G. Frolek Clark & B. E. Chandler, (eds.) Best practices in school occupational therapy. (pp. 83-93). Bethesda, MD: AOTA Press.
Coster, W., Law, M., Bedell, G. Liljenquist, K., Kao, Y-C, Khetani, M., & Teplicky, R. (2013). School participation, supports, and barriers of students with and without disabilities. Child: Care, Health and Development, 39, 535-543. Doi:10.1111/cch.12046
Cohn, E. & Coster, W. (2013). Unpacking our theoretical reasoning: Theory and practice in occupational therapy. In B. Schell, G. Gillen (eds.), Willard and Spackman’s Occupational Therapy (12th ed)(pp. 478-493). Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Khetani, M.A. & Coster, W. (2013). Social participation. In B. Schell, G. Gillen (eds.), Willard and Spackman’s Occupational Therapy (12th ed)(pp. 731-744). Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Chang, F-H, Helfrich, C.A., & Coster, W.J. (2013). Psychometric properties of the Practical Skills Test (PST). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 67, 246-253. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2013.006627.
Coster, W. J. (2013). Making the best match: Selecting outcome measures for clinical trials and outcome studies. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 67, 162–170. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2013.006015
Bedell, G., Coster, W., Law, M., Liljenquist, K., Kao, Y-C., Teplicky, R., Anaby, D., & Khetani, M.A. (2013). Community participation, supports and barriers of school age children with and without disabilities. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 94, 315-323.
Law, M., Anaby, D., Teplicky, R., Khetani, M., Coster, W., and Bedell, G. (2013). Participation in the home environment among children and youth with and without disabilities. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76.
Khetani, M.A., Cohn, E., Orsmond, G., Law, M. & Coster, W. (2013). Parent perspectives of participation in home and community activities when receiving Part C early intervention services. Topics in Early Childhood Education, 32, 234 – 245. DOI: 0.1177/0271121411418004.
Chang, F.H., Coster W.J., & Helfrich, C.A. (2013). Community participation measures for people with disabilities: A systematic review of content from an ICF perspective. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 94. 771-781. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2012.10.031.
Gleason, K. & Coster, W. (2012). An ICF-CY-based content analysis of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 37, 285-293. doi: 10.3109/13668250.2012.720675.
Bedell, G., Khetani, M.A., Coster, W.J., Law, M., & Cousins, M. (2012). Community, social and civic life. In A. Majnemer, Ed. Measures for children with developmental disabilities: An ICF-CY approach (p. 416-432). London, UK: MacKeith Press.
Khetani, M.A., Bedell, G., Coster, W., Cousins, M., & Law, M. (2012). Environmental factors: Physical, social and attitudinal environment. In A. Majnemer, Ed. Measures for children with developmental disabilities: An ICF-CY approach (p. 440-454). London, UK: MacKeith Press.
Khetani, M. A., Orsmond, G., Cohn, E., Law, M., Coster, W. (2012). Correlates of community participation among families transitioning from part C early intervention services. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 32(3), 61-69.
Kao, Y-C, Kramer, J.M., Liljenquist, K., Tian, F., & Coster, W.J. (2012). Comparing the functional performance of children and youth with autism, developmental disabilities, and without disabilities using the revised Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) item banks. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66, 607–616. doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2012.004218.
Kramer, J.M., Coster, W.J., Kao, Y-C, Snow, A., Orsmond, G., & Moed, R. (2012). A new approach to the measurement of adaptive behavior: Development of the PEDI-CAT for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics,32(1),34-47.
Coster, W., Law, M., Bedell, G., Khetani, M., Cousins, M., & Teplicky, R. (2012). Development of the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth (PEM-CY): Conceptual basis. Disability and Rehabilitation, 54, 238-246.
Dumas, H., Fragala-Pinkham, M. A., Haley, S., Ni, P. S., Coster, W., Kramer, J., et al. (2012). Computer adaptive test performance in children with and without disabilities: Prospective field study of the PEDI-CAT. Disability & Rehabilitation, 34, 393-401.
Haley, S.M., Coster, W.J., Dumas, H., Fragala-Pinkham, M., Kramer, J., Ni, P., Feng, T., Kao, Y-C, Moed, R., & Ludlow, L. (2011). Accuracy and precision of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory Computer Adapted Tests (PEDI-CAT). Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 53, 1100-1106. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2011.04107.x.
Kuo, M.H., Orsmond, G.I., Cohn, E.S., & Coster, W.J. (2011). Friendship characteristics and activity patterns of adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder. Autism. Early online. DOI: 10.1177/1362361311416380.
Coster, W., Bedell, G., Law, M. Khetani, M.A., Liljenquist, K., Gleason, K., & Kao, Y-C. (2011). Psychometric evaluation of the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth (PEM-CY). Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 53, 1030-1037. DOI: 10.1111/j.469-8749.2011.04094x.
Haley, S.M., Ni, P.,Lai, J-S, Tian, F., Coster, W., Jette, A.M., Straub, D., & Cella, D. (2011). Linking the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care and the Quality of Life Outcomes in Neurological Disorders. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 92, Suppl. 1, S37-S43.
Bedell, G.M., Khetani, M.A., Cousins, M.A., Coster, W.J.,& Law,M.C. (2011). Parent perspectives to inform development of measures of children’s participation and environment. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation,92, 765-773.
Hwang, Y-S, Lin, C-H, Coster, W.J., Bigsby, R., & Vergara, E. (2010). Effectiveness of cheek and jaw support to improve feeding performance of preterm infants. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 64, 886-894. doi:10.5014/ajot.2010.090301.
Dumas, H.M., Fragala-Pinkham, M.A., Haley, S.M., Coster, W.J., Kramer, J.M., Kao, Ying-Chia, & Moed, R. (2010). Item bank development for a revised Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 30, 168-184. doi: 10.3109/01942631003640493.
Lin, L-y, Orsmond, G., Coster, W., & Cohn, E. (2010). Families of adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders in Taiwan: The role of social support and coping in family adaptation and maternal well-being. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders,
Takahashi,K.,Tickle-Degnen, L., Coster, W.J., & Latham, N. (2010). Expressive behavior in Parkinson’s disease as a function of interview context. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 64, 484-495.
Daunhauer, L., Coster, W., Tickle-Degnen, L. & Cermak, S. (2010).Play and cognition among young children reared in an institution. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 30, 83-97.
Haley, S.M., Coster, W.J., Kao, Y-C, Dumas, H., Fragala-Pinkham, M., Kramer, J., Ludlow, L., & Moed, R. (2010). Lessons from use of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI): Where do we go from here? Pediatric Physical Therapy, 22, 69-75.
Dunn, M.L., Coster, W.J., Orsmond, G.I., & Cohn, E.S., (2009). Household task participation of children with and without attentional problems. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 29, 258-273.
Dunn, M.L., Coster, W.J., Cohn, E.S., & Orsmond, G.I. (2009). Factors associated with participation of children with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in household tasks. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 29, 274-294.
Chou, Y.-H., Coster, W. J., Trombly Latham, C. A., Li, P.-L., Chung, M.-J., & Shie, J.-H. (2008). Rod bisection task: The roles of voluntary manual exploration and vision in perceptual judgment. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 107, 70-80.
Coster, W. J. (2008). Embracing ambiguity: Facing the challenge of measurement. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62, 743-752.
Bedell, G., & Coster, W.J. (2008). Measuring participation of school-age children with traumatic brain injuries: Considerations and approaches. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 23, 220-229.
Prvu Bettger, J.A., Coster, W.J., Latham, N.K., Keysor, J.J. (2008). Analyzing change in recovery patterns in the year after acute hospitalization. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 89, 1267-1275.
Tao, W., Haley, S.M., Coster, W.J., Ni, P., & Jette, A. (2008). An exploratory analysis of functional staging using an Item Response Theory approach. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 89, 1046-1063.
Coster, W.J. (2008). Organizing the evidence to support practice . In S. Coppola, S. Elliott, & P. Toto (Eds.). Strategies to advance gerontology excellence (SAGE): Promoting best practice in occupational therapy (pp. 513-524). Bethesda, MD: AOTA Press.
Coster, W., Haley, S.M., Ni, P.S, Dumas, H.M., & Fragala-Pinkham, M.A. (2008). Assessing self-care and social function using a computer adaptive testing version of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 89, 622-629.
Coster, W. & Khetani, M.A. (2008). Measuring participation of children with disabilities: Issues and challenges. Disability& Rehabilitation, 30, 639-648.
Coster, W.J. (2008). Curricular approaches to professional reasoning for evidence-based practice. In B.A. Schell and J.W. Schell (Eds.), Clinical and professional reasoning in occupational therapy (pp. 311-334). Baltimore: Lippincott Williams& Wilkins.
Haley, S.M., Gandek, B., Siebens, H., Black-Schaffer, R.M., Sinclair, S.J., Tao, W. Coster, W.J., Ni, P., & Jette, A.M. (2008). Computerized adaptive testing for follow-up after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation: II. Participation outcomes. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 89, 275-283.
Daunhauer, L., Coster, W.J., Tickle-Degnen, L., & Cermak, S. (2007). Effects of caregiver-child interactions on play occupations among young children institutioneralized in Eastern Europe. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 61, 429-440.
Coster, W., Haley, S.M., Jette, A., Tao, W., & Siebens, H. (2007). Predictors of basic and instrumental activities of daily living performance in persons receiving rehabilitation services. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 88, 928-935.
Presentations
Research Presentations
Muñoz, M.A., Crouter, S.E., Coster, W.J., Orsmond, G.I., & Gill, S.V. (June, 2015). Association between parents’ perception of weight and behavior change and activity in Puerto Rican children. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of the American College of Sports Medicine, San Diego, CA.
Pfeiffer, E. Coster, W., & Coker-Bolt, P.C. (April, 2015). Measure of Participation and the Sensory Environment for young children with autism. Paper presented at American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Nashville, TN.
Coster, W. (May, 2014). From the PEDI to the PEDI-CAT-ASD. 3rd Annual Occupational Therapy Summit of Scholars. Philadelphia, PA.
Chang, F-H, & Coster, W. (April, 2014). Conceptualizing the construct of participation in adults with disabilities. Poster presented at American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD.
Pfeiffer, B. & Coster, W. (April, 2014). Development of a measure of the sensory environmental impact on participation in children with autism spectrum disorders. Poster presented at American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD.
Newman, R. & Coster, W. (April, 2014). An occupation-based self-management program for breast cancer survivors. Poster presented at American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD.
Coster, W. (November, 2013). The Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth (PEM-CY). Department of Occupational Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Coster, W. (June, 2013). Lessons learned from the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth (PEM-CY). UNICEF-Washington Group Task Group on Measuring the Environment. New York, NY.
Coster, W.J., Kramer, J.M., Kao, Y-C, Liljenquist, K.S., & Dooley, M. (April, 2013). Psychometric properties of the PEDI-CAT for children, youth and young adults with autism spectrum disorders. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, San Diego, CA.
Khetani, M.A., Teplicky, R., Bedell, G., & Coster, W.J. (April, 2013). Fostering knowledge about participation in occupation for children and youth: Processes and outcomes of a knowledge translation project. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, San Diego, CA.
Coster, W. (October, 2012). Linking the pediatric and adult SCI-CATs. Paper presented at the 2012 ACRM-ASNR Annual Conference, Vancouver, BC.
Law, M., Coster, W.,& Bedell, G. Anaby, D., Khetani, M.K., Teplicky, R.,Liljenquist, K. (September, 2012). Participation profiles at home, school and in the community: A comparison of children and youth with and without disabilities. Presented at AACPDM 66th Annual Meeting, Montreal, QC.
Kao, Y-C, Coster, W, Kramer, J., and the PEDI-CAT team. (April, 2011). Measuring transition of responsibility from parent to child: The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT). Poster presented at American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference. Philadelphia, PA.
Kramer, J., Coster, W.J., Kao, Y-C, Orsmond, G. (April, 2011). “I’m my child’s prefrontal lobe”: Evaluation of the performance of everyday activities by parents of children with autism. Paper presented at American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference. Philadelphia, PA.
Bedell, G., Coster, W., Law, M., & Teplicky, R. (April, 2011). The Participation and Environment Measure – Child and Youth Version (PEM-CY): Descriptive and psychometric findings. Poster presented at American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference. Philadelphia, PA.
Kao, Ying-chia & Coster, W.J. Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI): What translation has taught us about culture and development. (May, 2010). Poster presented at World Federation of Occupational Therapy Congress, Santiago, Chile.
Coster, W.J. (April, 2010). Capturing the influence of environment on children’s participation. Paper presented at American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Orlando, FL.
Other Presentations
Coster, W. (April, 2016). Measuring what matters in the daily lives of children and youth. 5th Annual Linda Schuberth Lectureship, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD.
Coster, W. (November, 2015). Bridging theory to practice. Paper presented at Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.
Dr. Coster presents Agents of Change. Hosted by Sargent College, this presentation was a part of the online, virtual conference, “Health Matters.” (2015)
Coster, W. (March, 2014). Developing effective interventions in OT: Balancing our focus on the whole and on the parts. 7th Annual Occupational Science Scholar Series, Brenau University, Gainesville, GA.
Coster, W., (January, 2014). Recent work in pediatric assessment: The PEDI-CAT and PEM-CY. Umeâ University, Umeâ, Sweden.
Mulcahey, M.J. & Coster, W. (April, 2013). Computer adaptive testing: A primer for occupational therapy practitioners. American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, San Diego, CA.
Coster, W. (November, 2013). What does the future of academic occupational therapy look like? Five trends. Department of Occupational Therapy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Coster, W. (October, 2013). Assessing outcomes in clinical practice and research: Does what we do make a difference? Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Sâo Paulo, Sâo Paulo, Brazil.
Coster, W. (October, 2013). Occupational Therapy in the United States and at Boston University. Federal University of Sâo Carlos, Sâo Carlos, Brazil.
Coster, W. (November, 2012). Assessing outcomes in clinical practice and research: Does what we do make a difference? Distinguished Scholar Lecture, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Florida International University. Miami, FL.
Coster, W. (June, 2012). Outcome measurement in comparative effectiveness research. New Frontiers in Disability-Related Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER). Boston, MA.
Coster, W. (January, 2012). Theory: An introduction. Esteemed Scholar Seminar, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY
Coster, W. (December 2011). Making the best match: Selecting outcome measures. Invited presentation at Advancing Clinical Trials and Outcome Research (ACTOR) Conference sponsored by AOTA and AOTF. Washington, DC.
Awards and Honors
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)/American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) Joint Presidents’ Award (2020)
Sargent College Award of Merit, Boston University (2009)
Certificate of Appreciation, American Occupational Therapy Foundation (2008)
Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship Award, American Occupational Therapy Association (2007)
Jean Ayres Research Award, American Occupational Therapy Foundation (2001)
Academy of Research, American Occupational Therapy Foundation (1997)
Roster of Fellows, American Occupational Therapy Association (1993)
Mary E. Switzer Distinguished Rehabilitation Research Fellowship Award, NIDRR (1991)
