
What Does A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) involve?
At Neuroinclusion, we pride ourselves on all of our occupational therapists using a consistent effective approach with all Functional Capacity Assessments. We charge 10 hours for all FCA reports at our $193.99 per hour rate. Any additional travel is charged in addition to this. Our occupational therapists are also skilled in gaining information for these reports online to reduce costs where possible. Any relevant documents, reports, assessments and NDIS plan can be sent once the service agreement has been completed to speed up our processes. All of our FCAs are also read by another experienced occupational therapist in our team to optimise every reports' quality and standard.
Neurodiversity-affirming occupational therapists play a crucial role in supporting individuals to access the funding and services they need. A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is a comprehensive evaluation of a person's abilities, challenges, and support requirements, particularly within the context of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). For clients over 10 years old, our team completes FCAs within six weeks, ensuring alignment with NDIS-recommended evidence and assessment tools. For clients under 10, an FCA is not often clinically necessary as most tasks are not completed independently such as financial management. To reduce costs, time and accuracy of reports, FCAs are modified to be age appropriate and so contain less information and less overall cost.
An Individualised and Strengths-Based Approach
Our neurodiversity-affirming FCA recognises and respects the unique experiences and strengths of each individual. Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, we tailor the assessment process to ensure a positive experience that captures an accurate representation of the person's functional capacity. We understand the challenges of ticking boxes for NDIS and so we do so with acknowledgement to the deficit-based requirements to gain the reasonable and necessary funding.
Key Assessment Tools: Efficiency and Precision
Our FCAs always include a semi-structured interview to gain an understanding of how the person completes daily tasks. Parents, caregivers, support workers and other relevant stakeholders are always welcome to join and contribute their perspectives. At least one functional activity will be observed such as writing, making lunch or calling someone. To enhance efficiency and ensure assessments are both thorough and cost-effective, we utilise the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales, Third Edition (Vineland-3). This evidence-based tool is completed online via a questionnaire, reducing time burdens on clients and maximising funding for other necessary supports. The Vineland-3 provides valuable insights into an individual's adaptive functioning across communication, daily living skills, and socialisation, making it an essential component of our FCA process.
For our predominantly Autistic clientele, we frequently incorporate a Sensory Assessment to better understand sensory processing differences that may impact daily functioning. Sensory processing challenges are often a core component of an individual's experience, influencing their engagement in education, employment, and social activities. By including this assessment, we ensure the FCA accurately reflects the individual's needs and strengths in sensory-related domains. Other assessments we include are the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale, BOT-3 Brief and WHODAS. The number of assessments included depends on the complexity of the client, the funding required and recommended, diagnoses and capacity.
A Timely and Comprehensive Process
We prioritise the completion of FCAs within six weeks, balancing thorough evaluation with timely reporting to facilitate swift access to NDIS funding. Our process includes:
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Initial Consultation – Gathering relevant history, doing observations and discussing goals with the client and their support network.
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Standardised Assessments – Confirming completion of relevant assessments completed in-person or online
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Report Compilation – Synthesising findings into a comprehensive FCA report that aligns with NDIS criteria.
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Feedback and Recommendations – Providing clear, evidence-based recommendations to support access to reasonable and necessary funding.
Empowering Clients Through Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice
Our commitment to neurodiversity-affirming practice ensures that FCAs are not only a means to secure funding but also a supportive and validating experience for our clients. By using evidence-based tools like the Vineland-3 and incorporating sensory assessments where relevant, we provide holistic insights into each person's functional capacity.
Ultimately, our approach prioritises efficiency, accuracy, and individualised support, ensuring that every client receives the funding and resources that empower them to thrive.