Functional Assessments

  1. Paediatric Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) assessment ( Early Intervention or older)

Description

A Paediatric FCE Assessment is a specialised functional assessment of age specific tasks including:

  • Social/Emotional inc behaviour

  • Motor Functions

Purpose

This assessment is used to track and monitor the progress of your child as well as creating target areas to improve during further intervention or to obtain funding initially or at the time of the review.

This will include:

  • A developmental screener (age checklist)

  • A visit to do observations 

  • An interview with parents

  • An age checklist

  • A Vineland assessment 

  • A SPM

2. Paediatric FCE PLUS (Early Intervention or older):

Purpose

Early Intervention
When a child is under 8 years old it is very difficult to diagnose them formally as there are many factors that can hinder development. Sometimes early intervention by clinicians such as OTs and SPs can prevent ongoing delay. That’s why the NDIS will let children onto the scheme under the early intervention framework. Certain providers (such as JRTS) have this registration, but the reporting criteria is very rigid. The child has to have developmental delay in 2 or more areas. This is then called Global Developmental delay, but this diagnosis only stands until they are 8 years old. After that they need a formal diagnosis to remain on the scheme. This assessment can be sent to a paediatrician to obtain a diagnosis.

Over 8 years - 16 years
As above but the child already has a diagnosis

It can also highlight the need for more funding support at school.

  • Developmental screener

  • Vineland

  • SPM

  • Speech and language screener

This will need to be done for the following reasons:

  • Prior to achieving a diagnosis for a child other than Global developmental delay.

  • If the child is under 8 years old and is trying to get on NDIS under the early intervention framework.

  • If the child got onto NDIS for early intervention because they are under 8 years and presents with delays in 2 or more areas but are now turning 8 and requires a diagnosis to stay on the scheme.

The results of these assessments will be sent to a psychologist or paediatrician to obtain a formal diagnosis.

A paediatric FCE PLUS will always contain reference to any of the following:

  • AT

  • Home modifications

  • Behaviour advice

  • Classroom strategies

  • Change of circumstances

3. Adult Functional Assessment

Description

A functional assessment for an adult is done normally to prove the level of the support they require to perform all activities of daily living.

This measures the client’s functional capacity for all activities of daily living.

Purpose

A functional assessment is a good pre-requisite for applying to go on NDIS and can accompany the application. This has to be done privately if it is a pre-NDIS application.

General Functional for a client in the community can consist of:

  • Care and Needs Assessment Scale (CANS) and Independent Life Skills Profile 16 (ILSP-16)

  • CANS on its own

  • ABAS 3 – Adaptive Behaviour Assessment Scale

  • WHODAS – World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Screener

    Functional when client is in hospital:

  • Functional Independent Measure – FIM

  • FIM and ILSP 16

  • ABAS 3 (functional concerns in daily living domains) or WHODAS (clearly outlines level of disability)

4. Adult FCE PLUS

The same as an adult functional assessment but with an additional section recommending any of the following (but not limited to):

  • Home modifications

  • Assistive technology

  • Behaviour recommendations