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Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA)
A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) helps to understand a person’s strengths, challenges, and support needs in daily life. Conducted by an occupational therapist, this comprehensive assessment evaluates how an individual manages essential tasks such as self-care, mobility, communication, and community participation.
By identifying areas where support is needed, an FCA provides valuable insights to guide therapy, assist with NDIS funding applications, and develop personalised strategies for greater independence. Our neuro-affirming approach ensures that each assessment respects and reflects the individual’s unique abilities and goals.
Below are some ways a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) can support you and your child:
NDIS Funding & Support Plans
Provides detailed insights to support NDIS applications, plan reviews, and funding requests, ensuring your child receives appropriate services.
Daily Living & Independence
Identifies areas where your child may need support with self-care tasks like dressing, eating, toileting, and personal organisation.
School & Learning Participation
Assesses your child’s ability to engage in classroom activities, handwriting, concentration, and following routines, with recommendations for support.
Motor Skills Development
Evaluates fine and gross motor skills to understand challenges with tasks such as handwriting, using cutlery, tying shoelaces, or participating in play and sports.
Emotional & Sensory Regulation
Identifies sensory processing differences or emotional regulation difficulties that may impact behaviour, focus, or interactions with others.
Assistive Technology & Environmental Adaptations
Recommends tools, equipment, or modifications at home, school, or in the community to support your child’s participation and comfort.
Collaboration with Schools & Other Professionals
Provides recommendations that can be shared with teachers, therapists, and support teams to create a consistent approach across environments.
Social & Community Participation
Assesses challenges related to making friends, engaging in social interactions, and participating in group activities.
Long-Term Planning & Goal Setting
Helps families and therapists set realistic, achievable goals to improve quality of life and independence over time.
A FCA may encompass some or all of the following components, though it's not mandatory for all cases:
Child and Family Interview
The therapist will gather information from the child's parents or caregivers about the child's medical history, developmental milestones, and any concerns or challenges they may be experiencing.
Observations
The therapist will observe the child's physical movements, gross and fine motor skills, balance, coordination, posture, and overall functional abilities.
Standardised Assessments
Various standardised assessment tools may be used to evaluate specific aspects of the child's functional capacity, such as motor skills, sensory processing, visual perception, and self-care abilities.
Play-Based Assessments
For younger children or those with developmental delays, play-based assessments may be used to observe the child's interactions, problem-solving abilities, and social skills.
Sensory Integration Assessment
If the child is experiencing sensory processing challenges, the therapist may conduct a sensory integration assessment to understand how the child processes and responds to sensory information from their environment.
Functional Activities
The child may be asked to perform age-appropriate functional activities or tasks, such as dressing, feeding, writing, or playing, to assess their abilities and identify any difficulties they may have.
Endurance and Tolerance Assessment
The therapist may evaluate the child's endurance and tolerance for physical activities and identify any fatigue or limitations.
Parent/Caregiver and Teacher Input
Input from parents, caregivers, and teachers is essential to gain a comprehensive understanding of the child's functional abilities in various settings.
School-Based or Educational Assessmentes
If relevant, the therapist may collaborate with teachers or school personnel to understand the child's functional capacity in an educational setting and identify any accommodations or modifications needed.
Comprehensive Report
After completing the assessment, the therapist will compile the findings and recommendations into a comprehensive report. This report may include a summary of the child's strengths, challenges, specific needs, and recommendations for therapy, interventions, or educational support.
Take the first leap towards progress
If you are considering an assessment for your child, our team of professionals is here to guide you through the process with care, respect, and understanding. The first step is completing our intake form, which helps us understand your child’s needs and how an assessment can support them.
Submitting the form is obligation-free and doesn’t commit you to any further steps—it’s simply a way to begin the conversation and explore the best options for your child. Once we receive your form, our team will reach out to discuss the next steps, answer any questions you may have, and provide the support you need. Together, we can work towards helping your child thrive.
Helping children build skills, gain confidence, and thrive in everyday life.
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