Functional Ability Scale (FAbS): Feeding / Swallowing

A seven-point rating scale ranging from the least functional (Level 1) to independent (Level 7) to describe a patient's abilities over the course of intervention.

Related Major Focus Areas

Scoring Rubric

7 - Independent Swallowing is normal for meeting nutritional needs with an appropriate diet in all situations.
6 - Minor Swallowing is functional for meeting nutritional needs with an appropriate diet, but compensatory techniques/safety precautions may be needed. Secretion management is consistent. Hypersensitivity with or without gag/cough/vomit is not observed. Behavioral aversions are not observed.
5 - Mild Swallowing is functional for meeting nutritional needs with a modified diet, with or without supervision to ensure use of compensatory techniques/safety precautions. Secretion management is consistent. Hypersensitivity with or without gag/cough/vomit is infrequent. Behavioral aversions rarely interfere with the feeding process.
4 - Moderate Swallowing is functional for meeting nutritional needs with a modified diet, and supervision to ensure use of compensatory techniques/safety precautions. Secretion management is intermittent. Hypersensitivity with or without gag/cough/vomit is occasional. Behavioral aversions interfering with the feeding process are occasional and require supervision and/or intervention.
3 - Severe Swallowing is functional for a portion of nutritional needs but only with a modified diet and swallowing management precautions. Secretion management is intermittent. Hypersensitivity with or without gag/cough/vomit responses is often present. Behavioral aversions are frequent during the feeding process and require intervention.
2 - Major Some swallowing is possible but not meet nutritional needs. Secretion management may be a frequent problem. Hypersensitivity with or without gag/cough/vomit responses frequently interferes with feeding. Behavioral aversions are always present and limit feeding to minimal extent.
1 - Profund Swallowing is not functional for nutrition or for secretion management. Protective reflexes, such as gagging and coughing, may not be present or may be so strong as to preclude feeding. Behavioral aversions may be so severe as to preclude feeding. No oral feeding due to risk of aspiration.