Thomas Kiresuk and Robert Sherman developed goal attainment scaling in response to the wide variety of evaluation models regarding mental illness and treatment. Since its introduction, GAS has been used for many different populations. With this interest from the OT community, we decided to see if we could build a tool to give therapists the ability to use goal attainment scaling to capture and measure progress. Now, many months and several iteration cycles later, we are excited to have this functionality in Nota. The framework allows therapists to create and prioritize goals with clients and families, and track measurable progress over time.
At a high level, here's the process for which the goal attainment functionality was designed:
1. The therapist reviews child’s records, including evaluation and sensory history, before conducting parent meeting.
2. The therapist meets/interviews parents to discuss goals and areas valued by child and parent.
3. The therapist develops 5 scaled goals in accordance with GAS methods
4. The therapist reviews scaled goals with parents to validate expected level of performance
5. The therapist rank orders the goals (1 to 5) with 1 being most important based on feedback from the child and family
6. The therapist evaluates over a standard intervention period and documents progress
7. The therapist conducts a follow up meeting with parents to determine progress on the scaled goals.
8. After the exit interviewer, the therapist determines the level of functioning based on the exit interview. An un-scored copy of the scaled goals is given to the parent.