Hi,
Yes, it makes perfect sense.  Your colleague needs a measurement tool that demonstrates the patient's gains in functional communication resulting from intervention with compensatory tools and strategies not remediation of motor abilities.  With progressive diseases like Parkinson's or ALS we often cannot improve motor abilities but we can improve functional communication.  

I use the ALS Functional Communication Scale (AFCS) which I may re-name the Adult Functional Communication Scale since I use it with all my adult patients who are cognitively and linguistically intact and require AAC.  This scale addresses 7 functional communication abilities that we target with this population.  Scoring is plus or minus so very easy.

Here is a webpage with the scale at the top and the measurement tool to produce G-codes at the bottom.  This AFCS produces a G-code score that improves dramatically with our intervention because it address  patients' functional needs like the "need for a call chime" or "need to communicate with those a distance".  

 
 
 
 
 
 
ALS Communication Scale | Amy and pALS
ALS Functional Communication Scale (AFCS) and Measurement Tool   SCALE Communication Competencies     Short Term Goals (examples) Interventions  (examples) 1.  Alerting/Emergency  (Clinic Visit Goal)
Preview by Yahoo
 


Here the "Communication Checklist" based on the AFCS  that I provide to people with ALS and their families.  It may be an easier way to look at the scale since it is formatted better.

Sincerely,

Amy Roman, MS, CCC-SLP
Augmentative Communication Specialist

AmyandpALS.Com

Forbes Norris ALS Research and Treatment Center
2324 Sacramento Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
Cell (415)518-0592
Fax (415)600-3778


On Wed, Sep 30, 2015 at 6:06 PM, Thompson, Heather D. <xxxxxx@cshs.org> wrote:
Amy,
 
My co-worker is seeing a Parkinson’s patient and using the NOMS (National Outcome Measure Score) for Motor Speech; however, it is hard to document progress using this area. Is there another NOMS area you use for your ongoing Medicare patient’s to document progress with their SGD? I hope this makes sense.
 
Heather Thompson, MS, CCC-SLP
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Department of Physical Medicine
Speech-Language Pathologist
(p)-310-423-9237
(f) 310-423-9222
xxxxxx@cshs.org
 
IMPORTANT WARNING: This message is intended for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged and confidential, the disclosure of which is governed by applicable law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this information is strictly prohibited. Thank you for your cooperation.



--
Amy Lustig, PhD, MPH, CCC-SLP
Restorative Speech & Swallow
501 Washington Lane,  Suite 203A
Jenkintown, PA  19046
215-460-1150
xxxxxx@gmail.com