The administration of the REACH scale involves two parts: an algorithm and checklist. The algorithm consists of “yes” or “no” questions that helps you narrow in on the most appropriate REACH level on the checklist. The checklist outlines the criteria that have to be met in order to classify your client in a particular category. To determine your client’s appropriate level of use, first administer the algorithm. You then can verify your client’s level of use by ensuring he/she meets the criteria in the checklist for that particular level. For example, on the algorithm, your client answers “no” to the first question. His/her answer to the subsequent question will indicate if they are in Level 0 or 1. In this example, he/she answer “yes”. This suggests she is in “Level 1”. You must then go to “Level 1” on the checklist to verify she meets the criteria for this level.
All the questions in the algorithm and checklist should be asked in the context of clients’ everyday use. Throughout the assessment, please emphasize to your client that you are interested in what they “actually do” and not what they are capable of doing. Sometimes clients will answer questions by stating they “can” perform that activity. You must therefore verify that they actually “do” that activity on a day to day basis.
The clients may not provide a strict “yes” or “no” response to the questions in the algorithm. Example responses may be sometimes, I think so, rarely, maybe. This is Okay and can be taken as a “yes” as the criteria in the checklist forms the ultimate determination of the clients use. The activities in the checklist are more specific and thus may better resonate with the client.