Outcome measures

Question 0

What is the Goal Attainment Scale (GAS)?

Answer 0

GAS:
•is individualised
•allows the SLP to document the child’s behaviours in naturalistic settings
•SLP can document baseline performance and numerically record behavioural changes
Steps:
1.select target behaviour
2.describe the desired behaviour / outcome in objective terms 3.develop descriptions of the probable outcomes from least desirable to most desirable

No 3. is done using Always (+2), Often (+1), Sometimes (+0), Rarely (-2), Never (-2).
This can then be graphed.

Question 1

What are outcome measures used for?

Answer 1

Baseline data:
•Establish the need for intervention
•Document improvements in the child’s language under treatment •Modify treatment procedures if there is no improvement
•Establish clinician accountability

Question 2

Discuss how outcome measures are linked to discharge criteria.

Answer 2

Dodd recommends that discharge occurs when:
•The targeted behaviour has been successfully treated
•The child’s progress cannot be attributed to therapy
•There has been no progress, or progress has plateaued

Question 3

How can I ensure my SLP intervention adheres to evidence based practice?

Answer 3

The Cochrane Collaboration
Speechbite
Language Problems Practice Resource

Question 4

How to measure outcome measures?

Answer 4

pre-and post-therapy standardised assessment measures 7
pre-and post-therapy language sample -% use of Brown’s 14 morphemes (form)
pre-and post-therapy language sample –MLU (form)
pre-and post-therapy language sample –# and range of pragmatic intentions (use)