An AHA assessment is done in two steps. The first step is an enjoyable 10 to 15 minute semi-structured play session using a test-kit of selected toys requiring bimanual use. Young children (18 months – 5 years) play exploratory with the toys in the test-kit. For older children (6-12 years) a specially designed board game in two different versions (Alien game and Fortress game) is utilized and for teenagers a board game (Go with the Floe), or two other bimanual activities, the Sandwich and the Present tasks, can be used. The AHA activities are video recorded. In the second step the examiner views the recording and assesses performance on 20 items scored on a four-point rating scale. The outcome is an evaluative interval level measure in a 0-100 AHA-units where a higher number means a higher ability. In addition to this, an item difficulty hierarchy is made available which is useful for guiding interventions to just the right difficulty level for the individual patient.

The AHA test kit

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The Fortress and Alien games

The Go with the Floe board game

The Sandwich and Present tasks

The AHA test kit, in which the Fortress and the Alien games are included, as well as the Go with the Floe game can be ordered from the Handfast webshop.

The AHA was developed by a research group at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. The validity and reliability of the AHA for the intended client groups has solid evidence from a number of research studies (see reference list below). The AHA has been called a gold standard instrument of hand use and is frequently used as an outcome measure when evaluating interventions for improving hand function in children and youth with unilateral disabilities in arm and hand.

List of publications on the psychometric properties of AHA 18-18.

PubMed compilation of scientific articles where the AHA is used.