NDIS Occupational Therapy Functional Capacity Assessments can be a confusing and overwhelming process for participants. However, understanding the benefits of this assessment can make a significant impact on your journey towards achieving your goals and living independently. NDIS OT clears up all things Functional Capacity Assessment.
In this article you'll learn:
Add a header to begin generating the table of contents
So, don’t let confusion hold you back, keep reading to discover the ins and outs of NDIS Occupational Therapy Functional Capacity Assessments and how it can help you reach your full potential.
Let’s get clear: What is a functional capacity assessment
An NDIS occupational therapy functional capacity assessment is an assessment that’s conducted by an occupational therapist (OT) to determine the supports and services an individual with a disability may need to achieve their goals and live more independently.
The assessment typically involves an evaluation of the person’s functional abilities and needs, as well as a review of their daily activities and environments be it at the home, work or community.
It’s a very practical assessment, and during the consultation your OT will typically:
Ask the individual questions about their goals, strengths, and challenges, and may observe the individual completing tasks or participating in activities to assess their abilities.
The therapist may also review medical records and
Gather information from other relevant professionals, such as doctors or other therapists, as needed.
Work with you and your loved one or core support to understand your lived experience of disability.
The assessment may also involve
Using standardised tests, such as cognitive, mood, movement, sensory or Activities of Daily Living testing, to help the therapist understand the individual’s abilities and needs.
Based on the assessment findings, the therapist will develop a comprehensive report that outlines:
Your current functional status across the domains that the NDIS supports, as well as,
Plan of therapeutic support, capacity building and core supports the participant may need to achieve their goals. The report is likely used by you, your support coordinator and NDIS delegate or planner.
7 reasons a person needs a functional capacity assessment
No doubt, each person’s situation is different and so arguably there are infinite reason why you might need a comprehensive assessment. That said, here’s seven scenarios we commonly see with adults living with a neurological conditions when they need to get an assessment:
First starting to receive NDIS funding and wants to understand their abilities, needs, and goals to develop an appropriate plan of action which might include for example, specialised equipment and assistive technology recommendations.
Experiences changes in their abilities, such as a decline in cognitive or physical function, and wants to understand how this will impact their ability to do daily tasks.
Wants to set new goals or make changes to their current plan of care, and wants to understand their current functional abilities and needs in order to make informed decisions.
Having difficulty completing activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, or preparing meals, and wants to understand the reasons for this difficulty and how to overcome it.
Wants to return to work and wants to understand their current functional abilities and any barriers that may need to be addressed.
Looking to start a new activity, such as a sport or hobby, and wants to understand their current functional abilities and any barriers that may need to be addressed.
Recommended by their healthcare provider, such as a physician, or other professional, or advocate, because they have concerns about the participant’s functional abilities and the need to have a comprehensive assessment to help identify any barriers and supports needed to improve their function or independence.
What’s the right health professional to do a functional capacity assessment?
Needing an NDIS functional capacity assessment? No doubt, it’s important to know who to talk to.
Occupational therapists, or OTs, are registered health professionals who can help you with things like daily living skills a disability. They are experts in understanding how injuries and health conditions can make it hard for adults to do things they want to do, and they can help you find ways to do them better.
For example, a person living with a neurological conditions like Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), an OT can help by completing an initial assessment that helps you
Achieve your goals, like overcoming memory and thinking challenges so you can get into life
Advises what kind of support and funding you need to help you achieve your goals
Recommends activities, services and equipment that helps you navigate the NDIS process.
It’s clear, everyone is different and has different needs.
Some people might need help to get back to where they were before an injury or illness. But for others, it might not be possible to get back to the same level of function.
This is where occupational therapists can help you find ways to maintain and maximise your current level of function and prevent it from getting worse.
So yes, an OT is the right health clinician that is well equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide you with a comprehensive assessments.
How long does an occupational therapist functional capacity assessment take?
Functional Capacity Assessments (FCA) can vary in length, depending on the individual’s situation and goals.
In general, functional capacity assessments can take anywhere from a a single session of a few hours to several days to complete, depending on the complexity of the individual’s needs and the extent of the assessment.
For example, an individual living with disability associated with a stroke may require a functional capacity assessment to determine their abilities and needs in order to return to work or participate in daily activities, leisure activities.
The assessment is likely to include the use of a variety of standardised assessments to determine the individual’s cognitive, physical, and functional abilities. Your therapist may also review your medical records, gather information from other relevant professionals, and observe the you completing tasks or participating in activities to assess your abilities.
Based on the findings of the assessment, the therapist will develop a detailed report which will address capacity building needs, future therapy needs, support needs and assistive equipment needs and possible environmental modifications.
The 6 steps to find the right OT for your assessment needs
To get a functional assessment, the first step is to find an occupational therapy service that can complete the assessment, with the right skills to meet your needs and situation. There are several ways to do this:
If your NDIS plan is managed by the NDIS “Agency Managed“, you can search for registered NDIS providers on the NDIS/ Proda website. This will give you a list of occupational therapy services that are approved to provide functional assessments under the NDIS.
For Plan Managed and Self Managed NDIS Plans:. If your NDIS plan is self or plan managed, you can use any provider of your choice. So, you’ve a little more flexibility and options. Here’s how you can find an OT that’s a good match for you:
Ask for recommendations: You can ask your doctor, other healthcare professionals, or advocacy organizations for recommendations on occupational therapy services in your area that can complete functional assessments.
Search online: You can use search engines or directories to find occupational therapy services in your area that offer functional capacity assessments.
Once you’ve found your therapist you can also confirm their registration and commitment to professional development by searching
Speak with the potential practice and confirm that they are the service provider with the skills to meet your needs. Once you have identified an occupational therapy service that you would like to use, you can contact them to schedule an assessment.
No doubt, it’s important to choose a provider that has the appropriate expertise and experience to meet your needs.
How might a functional capacity assessment be completed – Common Approaches
There are several ways an OT may conduct functional capacity assessments. This is guided by your personal situation and goals. These approaches can be grouped into three main categories:
INDIRECT APPROACHES
Indirect approaches to functional assessment involve the use of questionnaires, rating scales, or other standardized tools to assess an individual’s functional abilities.
These tools may be completed by the individual or by caregivers or core support staff who are familiar with the individual’s abilities and needs. Indirect approaches are useful for assessing a wide range of functional abilities, including cognitive, physical, and psychosocial skills.
OBSERVATIONAL APPROACHES
Observational approaches to functional assessment involve the therapist observing the individual as they complete tasks or participate in activities. The therapist may observe the individual’s performance, efficiency, and safety, and may make recommendations based on their observations.
Observational approaches can provide valuable insight into the individual’s functional abilities and challenges, and can be used to identify areas for improvement.
EXPERIMENTAL/FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS APPROACHES
Experimental or functional analysis approaches to functional assessment involve the therapist manipulating specific variables and observing the effect on the individual’s performance.
These approaches may involve the use of structured tasks or experiments to identify the specific factors that impact an individual’s ability to perform a task. Experimental approaches can be particularly useful for identifying the underlying causes of functional challenges and developing targeted interventions.
By using a combination of these approaches, an occupational therapist can get a comprehensive understanding of the individual’s functional abilities and needs.
This information can be used to develop a personalized action plan that supports your goals and helps you live as independently as possible.
OT functional capacity assessments near me
Occupational Therapy Brisbane offers in clinic assessments in Brisbane as well as across Australia using telehealth.
If you’ve any questions about functional assessments or how they can help you or a loved one live a fulfilling life, we encourage you to contact Occupational Therapy Brisbane. Our team of expert therapists is ready to work with you. Call us now at 1300 783 200 or fill out our online enquiry form to get started.