Iowa's Severity Rating Scales for Communication Disabilities
PL 94-142 mandates that all pupils who are handicapped receive an appropriate program in the least restrictive environment. In implementing both federal and state laws, it was necessary to depart from the traditional methods of service delivery, and so a continuum of services concept was adopted. Attached to the continuum of services are severity rating scales that indicate milestones along the continuum. A severity rating scale was developed for articulation, language, fluency, and voice. Although providing direction for the speech-language pathologist, clinical judgment was not compromised. The severity rating scale assists the clinician in case selection and suggests the intensity of the service delivery model. Data obtained from use of the scale can be employed to appropriately assign staff. Each scale is reproduced in an appendix to this article.