FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY ASSESSMENT

A Functional Capacity Assessment is a comprehensive occupational therapy assessment that looks at how a person manages everyday activities across home, community, learning, work and social environments.

The assessment explores a person's strengths, support needs, functional barriers and goals. 

Depending on the referral reason, this may include looking at personal care, domestic tasks, mobility, communication, learning, community access, safety, routines, emotional regulation, and participation in meaningful activities.

Assessments are usually completed in the person's home and community environments, where there is the best opportunity to understand how daily life is actually working.

• Understanding current functional abilities and support needs
• Identifying barriers to independence, safety and participation
• Supporting NDIS and other funding-related planning or review processes
• Recommending therapy, support worker input, assistive technology or home modifications where appropriate
• Helping families, support coordinators and referrers understand practical next steps

Assessment usually includes information gathering, observation of relevant daily activities, interview with the person and key supports, review of any available reports and documentation and completion of a written occupational therapy report with recommendations.