Use of the Goal Attainment Scale in the treatment and ongoing evaluation of neurologically handicapped children.

Six children with multiple handicaps were treated as a pilot group by a physical therapist, occupational therapist, and a speech/language pathologist. Baseline evaluations were obtained through a compilation of traditional developmental tests. A Goal Attainment Scale technique was introduced to facilitate reevaluation of the children. The advantages of the scale were to facilitate ongoing feedback for both the professionals and the parents as well as to update specific, individualized goals in each therapeutic area. This information was also helpful to third-party payers of service. Results showed that, after an initial period of familiarization, therapists became more accurate in their expectations of progress in treatment. Therapy time spent with each child was also increased without increasing costs or preparation time for each therapist. Specifically, re-evaluation scores obtained on the Goal Attainment Scales approached a normal, expected distribution of values. The potential value of extending the system to more objectively, efficiently, and concisely display treatment results is discussed.