About the AusTOMs for Speech Pathology
Alison Perry, Jemma Skeat

There are 6 AusTOMs for Speech Pathology Scales:

Speech (click for example- PDF file)
Language
Voice
Swallowing
Fluency
Cognitive-Communication

The AusTOMs for Speech Pathology scale headings were chosen to reflect the broad areas of clinical practice in which Australian speech pathologists work. Five scale headings (Speech, Language, Voice, Swallowing, and Fluency) reflect the areas covered by the Competency-Based Occupational Standards developed by the national body, Speech Pathology Australia. The sixth scale heading, Cognitive-Communication was developed at the request of speech pathology clinicians to cover broad areas of cognition such as attention, orientation, and learning, as they relate to communication.

Each of the AusTOMs for Speech Pathology scales has four domains:

Impairment: Impairments are deviations or loss of body structure (anatomical) or function (physiological).

Activity Limitation: Activity Limitation results from the difficulty in the performance of an activity. An activity is the execution of a task by an individual.

Participation Restriction: Participation restrictions are difficulties the individual may have in the manner or extent of involvement in their life situation.

Distress/Wellbeing: The level of concern experienced by the individual. Concern may be evidenced by anger, frustration, apathy, depression etc.

The AusTOMs for Speech Pathology scales were developed by Australian speech pathology clinicians through focus groups, a mail out survey, and ongoing feedback during training and pilot data collection. Consumer groups also had input into the development of all of the AusTOMs scales, particularly the Participation Restriction and Wellbeing domains.

For ordering information, click here.

About the AusTOMs for Physiotherapy
About the AusTOMs for Occupational Therapy

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Funding for the AusTOMs study was provided by the
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing