An NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) can help you access the NDIS scheme, apply for more funding, or review changes in your situation. You’ll work with an Occupational Therapist (OT) who will assess your needs to help the NDIS understand how they can best support you.
Here’s what to expect during your assessment:
1. First Contact: The OT will review your referral information. It’s helpful to provide any reports on your current needs. The OT will explain the assessment process and ensure you’re comfortable working together.
2. Assessment Planning: The OT will help schedule appointments and choose the right tools. The assessment will cover areas of daily living and how much support you might need for each area. For example:
- Communication: how you talk with and understand other people
- Social interaction: how you get along with other people
- Learning
- Mobility: how you move around in your daily life
- Self-care: doing things like washing, brushing teeth, dressing
- Self-management: paying bills, looking after your home
- Social participation: your friendships and links with other people
- Leisure: what you like to do for fun
- Economic participation: working and making money
Please note, while we know some people don’t like video calls, the OT needs to see you at least once for the assessment. If you are not willing to do this, we can’t complete the assessment.
3. Assessment Process: The OT will look at how you think, move, and feel, both at home and in your community. You’ll talk about daily activities, relationships, and self-care. Everything you say is private, and you don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to. With your permission, the OT may include people who support you in the process.
4. Functional Capacity Picture: The OT will look at your strengths, challenges, and how your disability and environment affect your daily life and goals.
5. Goals and Support Needs: Together, you’ll set short- and long-term goals, and the OT will identify support needs, such as assistive devices.
6. Report: The OT will create a report with assessment findings, results, and recommendations.
7. Recommendations: The report will include recommendations for therapy and NDIS funding based on your goals and NDIS criteria.
8. Review and Finalisation: You’ll meet with the OT to review the report, ask questions, and make any final changes. Once finalised, you’ll receive a copy, and it will be shared with others you specify.
Each assessment is done in a way that will work for you and your needs. At Umbo, our OTs make sure their knowledge is up to date and that they’re aware of changes in the NDIS that might affect your report.
The aim of the NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment is to make sure you get the support you need to lead a happy life. This process is a team effort between you, your occupational therapist and your support network, resulting in a detailed and accurate report.
If you would like help understanding this page, please contact us on 1300 636 162.