NDIS Assessments
NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment in Melbourne
Functional Capacity Assessments for NDIS Participants
Casa Mia Care Services provides NDIS Functional Capacity Assessments (FCA) in Melbourne for children, adolescents and adults.
A Functional Capacity Assessment provides a detailed understanding of how a person’s disability affects their everyday functioning, independence and participation at home and in the community.
Our assessments are tailored to each person’s individual circumstances and can provide useful information about their strengths, functional difficulties and support needs.
Based in Carlton, Melbourne, Casa Mia Care Services supports NDIS participants and families across Melbourne, with services available in English and Italian.
What is a Functional Capacity Assessment?
A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is a comprehensive assessment of how a person’s disability affects their ability to perform everyday activities and participate in different areas of life.
Rather than focusing only on a diagnosis, an FCA looks at the person’s functional abilities and the practical impact of their disability on everyday life.
The assessment considers the individual’s strengths, challenges, level of independence and areas where additional support may be required.
A Functional Capacity Assessment may be particularly useful when information is required to better understand a person’s support needs and functional capacity.
What Areas Does a Functional Capacity Assessment Cover?
Depending on the person’s age, disability and individual circumstances, a Functional Capacity Assessment may consider communication, social interaction, learning and understanding, personal care, daily living skills, mobility, emotional and behavioural functioning, social and community participation, independence and the person’s ability to develop and maintain skills. The assessment is individualised, so not every area will be relevant to every participant.
Who May Benefit From a Functional Capacity Assessment?
Children, Adolescents & Adults
Functional Capacity Assessments may be appropriate for children, adolescents and adults with physical, intellectual, developmental, neurological or psychosocial disabilities.
Children, Adolescents & Adults
Functional Capacity Assessments may be appropriate for children, adolescents and adults with physical, intellectual, developmental, neurological or psychosocial disabilities.
Children, Adolescents & Adults
Functional Capacity Assessments may be appropriate for children, adolescents and adults with physical, intellectual, developmental, neurological or psychosocial disabilities.
Functional Capacity Assessments and the NDIS
Functional assessment information can contribute to the evidence provided to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) regarding a person’s disability and functional capacity.
An assessment report may describe the impact of disability on everyday activities, independence, participation and support needs.
Depending on the individual’s circumstances, an FCA may be relevant to an NDIS access application, planning process, plan review or consideration of changes in support needs.
What Does the Assessment Involve?
1
Initial Consultation
2
Information Gathering
3
Functional Assessment
We explore the person’s abilities and difficulties across relevant areas of everyday functioning. This may involve interviews, questionnaires, observation and standardised assessment tools depending on the individual’s needs.
4
Assessment Report
Following the assessment, a comprehensive report is prepared outlining relevant findings, functional strengths, difficulties and support needs. Where appropriate, recommendations are provided based on the assessment findings.
5
Feedback
We explain the findings and recommendations clearly and provide an opportunity for the participant and/or family to ask questions about the report.
Functional Capacity Assessment for Children and Adolescents
Children and adolescents may experience difficulties with daily living, communication, social interaction, learning, emotional regulation and independence.
A Functional Capacity Assessment can help provide a clearer understanding of how these difficulties affect the child’s everyday functioning at home, school and in the community.
The assessment approach is adapted to the child’s developmental level, communication style and individual circumstances.
Functional Capacity Assessment for Adults
For adults, an FCA may explore how disability affects independence and participation in everyday life.
This may include personal care, household activities, communication, community participation, social relationships, learning, emotional functioning and the ability to manage everyday responsibilities.
The assessment focuses on the person’s current abilities as well as areas where additional assistance or skill development may be beneficial.
Assessment Tools
Depending on the referral question, age, abilities and individual circumstances, Casa Mia Care Services may use a range of recognised and standardised assessment tools as part of a broader clinical, cognitive, adaptive and functional assessment.
These may include:
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition (Vineland-3)
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2)
The ADOS-2 is a standardised observational assessment that may be used as part of a comprehensive assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. It considers areas including communication, social interaction and restricted or repetitive behaviours.
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)
The WAIS is a standardised cognitive assessment designed to evaluate intellectual and cognitive functioning in adults. It may provide information about areas such as verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory and processing speed.
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC)
The WISC is a standardised cognitive assessment for children and adolescents. It provides information about different aspects of cognitive functioning and may assist in understanding an individual’s strengths, challenges and learning profile.
Why Choose Casa Mia Care Services?
At Casa Mia Care Services, we understand that every participant has different strengths, abilities and support needs.
Our assessment approach is person-centred and focuses on understanding the individual rather than simply describing a diagnosis.
Our services are available in English and Italian, supporting Melbourne’s multicultural community.
NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment in Carlton and Melbourne
Casa Mia Care Services is located at 23B/255 Drummond Street, Carlton VIC 3053.
We provide assessment and disability support services to participants and families in Carlton and across Melbourne.
If you are looking for an NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment in Melbourne, contact Casa Mia Care Services to discuss your assessment needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
An NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment evaluates how a person’s disability affects their ability to manage everyday activities and participate independently in different areas of life.
A Functional Capacity Assessment primarily focuses on functional abilities and support needs. It is not necessarily a diagnostic assessment. The type of assessment required depends on the referral question and the individual’s circumstances.
An FCA report may provide information about functional capacity and the impact of disability that can contribute to supporting evidence for an NDIS application. However, an assessment does not guarantee NDIS access or funding.
Yes. Casa Mia Care Services provides assessment services for children, adolescents and adults, depending on the assessment required.
Yes. We provide Functional Capacity Assessments for adults where clinically appropriate.
Yes. Where appropriate, adaptive functioning may be assessed using standardised tools such as the Vineland-3 or ABAS-3.
Casa Mia Care Services is based in Carlton, Melbourne. Contact our team to discuss the assessment process and available options.
Yes. Casa Mia Care Services provides services in English and Italian and supports Italian-speaking participants and families.