RCSLT Online Outcome Tool

TOMs scales

Last updated: 30 January  2026 

A  new Therapy Outcome Measure Handbook was published in 2025  which contains 18 new scales and 7 updated scales, as well as FAQs, case studies and details of the research underpinning the development of the TOM. Also available are 6 specialist books which contain the scales most used in that specialty plus basics on implementation and reliability. For more details see the J&R Press website. 

We have been working with the authors to ensure that ROOT is updated to align to this new version and the changes are summarised on this page. For more detailed information, please see this full list of scales and changes.    

Three scales have been extensively updated. The 2025 versions are now the default option on ROOT, although it is possible to complete episodes using the old version, or upload data completed using the old scales. Different versions will be shown separately in reporting, where relevant.  

3. Autistic Spectrum Disorder  

32. Laryngectomy/surgical voice restoration  

58. Trans, non-binary, and gender diverse services 

For the following scales, amendments have been implemented on ROOT, to ensure that titles and descriptors match the new handbook:  

2. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) 

6. Developmental Language Disorder (formerly Child Language Impairment)  

30. Deaf or Hard of Hearing 

50. Paediatric Dysphagia [addition of new ‘Risk’ domain] 

51. Selective Mutism 

53. Parent/Carer-Infant Responsiveness 

56. Orthopaedic: Hip and Knee Surgery 

The 11 new scales considered most relevant to speech and language therapists are now available on ROOT. These are: 

69. Chronic Cough 

70. Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction (ILO) 

73. Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Stroke Rehabilitation   

74. Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Adult Learning Disability Community  

75. Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Paediatric Learning Disability & Complex Needs  

76. Adult Learning Difficulties Dysphagia 

77. Multidisciplinary Team (MDT): Challenging Behaviour and Regulation  

79. Case management/personal injury rehabilitation  

81. Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder  

83. Mental Health Communication 

84. Mouth Care 

Scale 64 Auditory Impairment/Deafness/Partially Hearing has been withdrawn and services are advised to use the updated scale 30 instead.  

The new TOM handbook also includes scale 78 Long Covid Rehabilitation Services, which brings together existing scales such as vocal tract discomfort and dysphagia. ROOT users are advised to use the relevant specific primary and secondary scales for the patient's symptoms, along with ICD-10 code (U09.9) Post COVID-19 condition.  

Please note: There are now several scales which have domains which are in addition to or different from the standard domains of impairment, activity, participation and wellbeing. On ROOT, this has implications for users who want to ‘import’ data and also for the functionality of reports. For more detail about this, see the full list of scales. If you are using any of the ‘non-standard’ scales, please get in touch with us at root@rcslt.org to help us prioritise this work and test functionality.