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NDIS – Functional Capacity Assessments

What is a Functional Capacity Assessment?

A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is simply an assessment of the functional capacity that an individual has to participate in meaningful daily activities, both at home and in their community.

FCA’s are used to highlight the evidence of your disability or developmental delay, to support access to the NDIS, and also serves as an overview to your needs and priorities for treating therapists. 

Functional Capacity is influenced by the environmental conditions, sensory abilities, cognitive functions, and motor skills, alongside with available support systems someone has access to.

These considerations are assessed within the FCA as they are essential in determining the level of functional capacity and the appropriate support needed for someone to successfully pursue their goals and actively engage in their lives.

Who can complete a Functional Capacity Assessment?

Functional Capacity Assessments are completed by a range of Allied and Medical health professionals, most commonly completed by:

  • Paediatricians
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Speech Pathologists
  • Physiotherapists
  • Psychologists
The NDIS website can help you to determine which health professional can provide you with the diagnosis and evidence of disability:

 

What happens at a Functional Capacity Assessment?

During a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA), Occupational Therapists will begin with formal and informal information gathering, observation of your activities and can include standardised assessments. Typically, other key individuals like teachers, medical professionals, and allied health practitioners are involved in this process. FCAs consider various aspects of your life, including your current situation, responsibilities, medical history, and any obstacles you may encounter. 

An FCA report typically identifies details such as:

  • An individual’s strengths
  • An individual’s potential limitations that could impact your independence
  • Recommendation of strategies and supports including number of support hours or necessary equipment within an NDIS plan
  • Providing guidance to the NDIS and families regarding supports required within a new NDIS plan and potential future planning.

If you are in need for a Functional Capacity Assessment, Adelaide Wellbeing Society are happy to help. 

If you have any other goals or therapy needs, here at Adelaide Wellbeing Society, we have a range of other services that may help too: