Get a Functional Capacity Assessment

A functional capacity assessment for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) includes gathering information on how the person expresses themselves, socialises, learns, moves, performs self-care, and organises their life. These correspond to the 6 domains in which a person can have substantially reduced functional capacity: Communication, Social Interaction, Learning, Mobility, Self-Care, and Self-Management.

By substantially reduced functional capacity, the person cannot function without support for most activities within the domain. To access NDIS for psychosocial disability, confirmation of substantially reduced functional capacity in at least 1 of the domains is required.

Outside of NDIS requirements, a functional capacity assessment includes observing the person’s ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). These are a set of tasks that must be performed regularly for independent functioning. ADLs are divided into basic ADLs and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs).

An example of a functional capacity assessment is the Life Skills Profile 16 (LSP-16). It is one of the functional capacity assessments accepted by the NDIS as evidence of psychosocial disability. The other NDIS-accepted functional capacity assessments include the Health of the Nation Outcomes Scale (HoNOS) and the World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Scale (WHODAS).

Outside of NDIS requirements, examples of functional capacity assessments include the Katz Index of Independence in ADLs and the Lawton-Brody IADLs Scale. The Katz Index of Independence in ADLs scores functional capacity based on being able to perform 6 basic ADLs either independently or with assistance. The Lawton-Brody IADLs Scale scores functional capacity based on the performance of 8 IADLs.

A psychologist can complete a functional capacity assessment, especially if the functional capacity test is for psychosocial disability NDIS access. Functional capacity testing for this specific disability group can also be performed by other mental health professionals. Occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and other health professionals can carry out functional capacity assessments for the NDIS access of non-psychosocial disability groups.

Developed by Dr. James F. Alexander, Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is a family counselling model that is short-term, strengths-focused, and evidence-based. FFT has 5 phases: Engagement, Motivation, Assessment, Behaviour Change, and Generalisation. During FFT, the family’s interpersonal functions of behaviour are addressed and guided towards more positive family functioning (Alexander et al., 1998, Functional Family Therapy).

The role of the therapist in functional family therapy is to assist the family in understanding and communicating with one another in a more positive and helpful way. The FFT therapist provides them with the tools they need to function better as a family. In the generalisation phase, the therapist takes on the role of family manager and ensures the family has the necessary support to continue positive family functioning even after FFT (Alexander et al., 1998, Functional Family Therapy).