Kyrene School District Voice Rubric

Student______________________Date__________School______________Voice Rating_____

Characteristics at each level describe voice production as determined by diagnostic voice assessment. A laryngoscopic evaluation is required prior to placement and annually for continued placement. An audiological evaluation and annual re-evaluation are also required for loudness disorder placements. The student places in the rubric with the majority of characteristics checked.

0  Conditions do not support speech-language eligibility
__Pitch, intensity, quality, and resonance are within normal limits.
__Voice does not draw attention to itself, nor affect communication or educational functioning.
__There is no indication of need for monitoring.

1  Conditions do not support speech-language eligibility
__A speech-language pathologist may note inconsistent or slight differences in:
__pitch __intensity __quality and/or __resonance.
__The difference(s) does not interfere with communication or educational functioning.
__Voice difference occurs occasionally (allergies or respiratory infections that clear spontaneously when physical condition improves.)

2   Conditions are mild and may not support immediate speech-language eligibility
__Consistent or inconsistent mild differences are noted in:
__pitch __intensity __quality and/or __resonance.
__The difference(s) is not noticed by the casual listener.
__Parents may or may not be aware of the voice difference(s).
__The student may or may not be aware of the voice difference(s).
__Voice difference(s) has little or no impact on communication or educational functioning.
__Monitoring may be indicated and possible medical evaluation may be indicated.

3   Conditions are moderate and support speech-language eligibility
__Persistent, noticeable consistent or inconsistent moderate differences are noted in:
__pitch __intensity __quality and/or __resonance.
__The voice difference(s) may be noticed by the casual listener.
__The voice difference(s) is noticed by parents and/or teachers.
__The student is aware of the voice difference(s).
__Voice difference(s) may be inappropriate for age and/or sex of the student.
__Voice difference(s) does interfere with communication and/or educational functioning.
__Medical evaluation is required.
__Some interference with educational progress.

4   Conditions are severe and support speech-language eligibility
__On an assessment scale, pitch level and/or variability is rated severely deviant:
__Extremely high __monotone __pitch breaks/Wilson Voice Profile Scale __+3 pitch, __-3 pitch, __-2 pitch.
__Intensive is rated: __extremely loud __extremely soft __aphonia occurs __no variance with emotional level __inability to sustain intensity at word and phrase level/Wilson Voice Profile Scale: __-3 laryngeal __+2 intensity __ -2 intensity.
__Laryngeal dysfunction is rated __severely hoarse __harsh __breathy __strident __glottal fry occurs

Wilson Voice Profile Scale: __-2 breathy __+2 tension __+3 laryngeal __+2 laryngeal __-3 laryngeal.

__Resonance is rated:
__severely hyponasal and nasal consonants are not produced __severely hypernasal/all vowels are affected
__nasal emission occurs __Wilson Voice Profile Scale: __-2 resonance __+3 resonance.
__Vocal disorder severely limits communication and/or educational functioning.
__Physical strain of the speaker is observable.
__Voice difference is obvious to the casual listener and/or elicits negative listener reaction/concern.
__Voice difference is obvious to parents and teachers.
__Listener is aware of the disorder and may avoid conversations.
__Medical evaluation is required.
__Interferes with educational progress.

Reviewed 6/05