OT assessment preparation tips 

Preparing for an NDIS occupational therapy assessment can seem daunting, but with a little bit of planning, it can be a smooth and stress-free process. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you prepare for your assessment:

• Gather any relevant medical information: This may include medical reports, therapy notes, and any other documentation related to your condition.
• Think about your goals: Before your assessment, take some time to think about what you would like to achieve through occupational therapy.
• List your current frustrations, limitations and barriers about your current services or plan that you’d like to resolve.
• Write down your questions: It’s important to have a clear understanding of the assessment process and what to expect, so make sure to write down any questions you may have and bring them with you to your assessment.

Empower yourself: Understanding the different types of occupational therapy assessments

There are several different types of occupational therapy assessments that can be conducted under the NDIS, each with its own unique focus. Some of the most common types of assessments include:

• NDIS Access Assessment: This assessment is used to determine whether an individual is eligible for NDIS support.
• Functional Capacity Assessment: This assessment is used to evaluate an individual’s abilities in relation to their daily living activities and identify areas of difficulty, strength and opportunity. Commonly this will involve the use of standardised assessments as well as observation and interviews.
• OT Assessment: No doubt a generic assessment which can have broad application. From minor grab rail assessment to complex home modifications assessment, life skills, cognitive assessment to driving assessment, mobility assessment, seating assessments, specialised equipment assessment, assistive technology, you’d agree – it’s a broad statement. Some other applications could also be to evaluate an individual’s abilities in relation to specific tasks, such as self-care, leisure, and work-related activities.
• An initial assessment will be the first clinical assessment that a therapist will complete with you when you first meet them. Our services are committed to working with adults living with neurological conditions and we’ve designed our initial assessment across 2 sessions.
• Assessment times will vary depending on the assessment process as well as the purpose and objective of the assessment, such as the length of the report. Assessment and documentation for minor assistive technology for an experienced clinical will be commonly less than 2hrs. Where as, a detail and complex assessments with comprehensive reports may take as much as 20hrs of effort or more.

What’s the key differences between access and functional capacity assessments

While both the NDIS Access Assessment and Functional Capacity Assessment are used to evaluate an individual’s abilities and needs, they have different focuses.

An NDIS Access Assessment is used to determine whether an individual is eligible for NDIS support. It will assess an individual’s level of disability and need for support and provide clear evidence to support your NDIS access request.

A Functional Capacity Assessment, on the other hand, is used to evaluate an individual’s abilities in relation to their daily activities and identify areas of difficulty. This assessment will look at an individual’s strengths and goals, and will be used to develop a plan, refine a plan, or support a change of circumstance and need.

Here’s what to expect during an NDIS OT functional assessment

An NDIS OT functional assessment is a detailed evaluation of an individual’s abilities in relation to specific tasks, such as self-care, leisure, and work-related activities.

During the assessment, an occupational therapist will observe:

• The individual completing a range of tasks,
• May also use assessments tools such as questionnaires and standardized assessments. We regularly use a suite of tools to help gather information specific to your situation.
• The therapist will also talk to the individual and their family/caregivers to gather information about the individual’s abilities, goals, and needs.
• Sometimes the output of the assessment is a report which comprehensively details your current functional capacity and provide recommendations for core and therapeutic support, capital, assistive equipment and consumables and allied health with a focus on capacity building.