top of page

Functional Capacity Assessment

Overview of Functional Capacity Assessment

At Jardin Spectrum Assist (JSA), a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is more than just an evaluation—it's a comprehensive process aimed at understanding an individual's unique abilities and support needs for NDIS funding. Our FCAs are grounded in a neurodiversity-affirming approach that embraces each person’s identity and strengths, focusing on their overall well-being and quality of life.

​

We recognise the interconnectedness of various aspects of life with disability, and our holistic approach ensures that all areas of need are considered. Our goal is to provide a clear understanding of the supports required to foster independence, participation, and a fulfilling life.

​

Timeline and Cost

We understand the importance of completing your Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) in a timely manner, especially for upcoming NDIS reviews and plan reassessments. We work flexibly around your schedule to ensure the process is smooth and efficient.

 

While most FCAs are completed within 4 weeks, timelines may vary depending on individual circumstances. If your assessment is urgent, please let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

​

Cost Breakdown

Our FCA service is billed at $193.99 per hour, with a total of 15 hours dedicated to a comprehensive evaluation and report preparation.

​

  • Initial Assessment with Functional Interview (Intake): 1.5 hours – $290.98

  • Assessments: 1.5 hours – $290.98

  • Assessment Tool Scoring and Evaluation: 4 hours – $775.96

  • Report Writing: 8 hours – $1,551.92

  • Assessment Summary Discussion (Complimentary): 1 hour

 

Total cost for a Comprehensive Functional Capacity Assessment: $2,909.85​​

​
What You Receive in Our Functional Capacity Assessments (FCAs)

​Our Functional Capacity Assessments (FCA) go beyond a standard evaluation. We provide a comprehensive, neurodiversity-affirming assessment that captures the unique strengths, challenges, and support needs of each client. Our assessments are designed to support NDIS funding applications and ensure individuals receive the right supports to enhance their independence and quality of life.

​

Comprehensive Assessment Across Key Functional Domains

Our FCA evaluates functional capacity across multiple life areas, ensuring a holistic understanding of the person’s daily needs and capabilities. This includes:

✔ Communication & Social Interaction – Assessing how the person expresses themselves, understands others, and engages in social environments.
✔ Mobility & Physical Abilities – Evaluating movement, coordination, stamina, and the ability to navigate physical environments.
✔ Cognitive & Executive Functioning – Exploring problem-solving skills, memory, information processing, and task initiation.
✔ Sensory Processing & Regulation – Understanding sensory sensitivities, sensory-seeking behaviors, and their impact on daily life.
✔ Daily Living & Self-Care Skills – Reviewing personal care routines, hygiene, meal preparation, household tasks, and independent living skills.
✔ Emotional Wellbeing & Self-Regulation – Identifying emotional regulation strategies, coping mechanisms, and supports needed to enhance mental health and stability.

 

Tailored Recommendations for NDIS Funding

Your FCA will include individualised recommendations that align with the NDIS framework. We ensure that the assessment clearly outlines support needs in relation to NDIS eligibility criteria, helping to secure funding for necessary services such as:

✔ Developmental Education, Occupational Therapy, and Psychology Support
✔ Disability Support Workers & Social Support Services
✔ Assistive Technology & Home Modifications
✔ Transport & Community Access Support

 

A Clear, Evidence-Based Report

You will receive a detailed FCA report, designed to provide a thorough and structured overview of the person’s functional abilities and support needs. This includes:

✔ A 40+ page comprehensive document outlining key findings, including developmental, cognitive, and functional domains.

✔ A Summary Letter offering a clear and concise overview of key findings and recommendations for ease of reading and accessibility.
✔ Standardised assessment results from evidence-based tools such as WHODAS 2.0, Vineland-3, ABAS-3, Sensory Profile, and more.
✔ NDIS-ready documentation ensuring that the report meets NDIS funding requirements for reviews, plan reassessments, and access requests.
✔ Personalised recommendations tailored to individual strengths, goals, and support needs, ensuring the best possible outcomes for independence and participation.

 

Our goal is to ensure every FCA is meaningful and actionable, supporting clients and their families in accessing the right services and funding to enhance their quality of life.

 

Our Approach: A Multidisciplinary, Evidence-Based Functional Capacity Assessment

We believe every NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) should be person-centred, strengths-based, and guided by best-practice principles. Our Specialist Multidisciplinary Team works collaboratively to explore all factors impacting a person’s functional abilities, independence, and support needs, providing clear, evidence-based recommendations for NDIS planning, funding, and services.

​

All our FCAs are completed by an Occupational Therapist, Developmental Educator, and Clinical Nurse. Each professional contributes specialist insights to ensure a holistic, well-rounded assessment that recognises and honours each person’s strengths, challenges, and support needs.

​

Developmental Educator (Matthew Jardin)
Scope of Practice & Expertise
  • Functional Skill Development & Capacity Building – Assesses and supports the development of adaptive daily living skills, executive functioning, and problem-solving to enhance independence in personal, social, and community contexts.

  • Social Inclusion & Community Engagement – Evaluates a person’s ability to participate in relationships, social settings, education, employment, and broader community activities.

  • Emotional Regulation & Executive Functioning – Identifies barriers related to emotional regulation, cognitive flexibility, and decision-making that may impact self-advocacy, independence, and engagement.

  • Self-Determination & Individualised Support Planning – Works alongside the person to develop goal-directed strategies that build capacity for daily life, increase autonomy, and promote self-advocacy.

  • Adaptive Learning & Strengths-Based Approaches – Utilises evidence-based learning methodologies tailored to individual needs, communication styles, and neurodivergent profiles.

 

Contribution to the FCA

✔ Comprehensive Evaluation of Functional Skills – Assesses how adaptive behaviour, executive functioning, emotional regulation, and social participation influence a person’s ability to manage daily routines, access services, and engage with their environment.
✔ Capacity-Building & Skill Development – Provides individualised recommendations for structured learning supports, self-determination strategies, skill-building interventions, and environmental adjustments that enhance autonomy and participation.
✔ Lifespan Approach & Transition Planning – Identifies key life transitions (e.g., school to employment, increased independence, or supported living) and ensures supports are in place to build long-term capacity.

​

Occupational Therapist (Alysse & Bethel)
Scope of Practice & Expertise
  • Functional Independence in Daily Activities – Assesses a person’s ability to manage self-care, household tasks, and participation in meaningful activities.

  • Sensory Processing & Environmental Adaptation – Identifies sensory processing differences that may impact comfort, regulation, and participation in various settings.

  • Motor Skills & Coordination – Evaluates fine and gross motor skills, movement patterns, and coordination that affect independent living and mobility.

  • Assistive Technology & Home Modifications – Recommends adaptive tools, assistive devices, and environmental modifications to enhance accessibility, participation, and independence.

 

Contribution to the FCA

✔ Detailed Functional Assessment – Evaluates how motor skills, sensory processing, and physical environment impact a person’s ability to complete daily tasks safely and efficiently.
✔ Customised Intervention Planning – Provides evidence-based recommendations, including assistive technology, sensory regulation strategies, and therapy interventions tailored to individual needs.
✔ Safety & Accessibility Considerations – Identifies barriers to participation and suggests modifications that support autonomy in home, school, work, and community settings.

​

Clinical Nurse Specialist (Christian)
Scope of Practice & Expertise
  • Health-Related Functional Impact – Evaluates medical conditions, medication management, and physical health factors that impact functional capacity and daily living.

  • Continence & Complex Care Management – Assesses continence needs, chronic conditions, and risk factors related to falls, skin integrity, and mobility.

  • Health Promotion & Preventative Care – Provides education and strategies for self-management of health conditions, medication adherence, and access to healthcare supports.

  • Care Coordination & Referrals – Liaises with other healthcare providers and allied health professionals to ensure integrated, person-centred care.

 

Contribution to the FCA

✔ Health-Related Functional Needs Assessment – Examines how chronic conditions, medication management, and physical health challenges affect daily independence and support needs.
✔ Integrating Medical Considerations – Ensures that health-related support needs are considered in the FCA recommendations, aligning with the person’s overall care and NDIS supports.
✔ Referrals & Coordination – Provides guidance on additional health-related supports, referring to relevant professionals where needed.

​​

Why Choose JSA for Your FCA?

We are committed to delivering neurodiversity-affirming, evidence-based Functional Capacity Assessments (FCA) that recognise and respect each person’s unique strengths, challenges, and support needs.

​

  • Neurodiversity-Affirming & Strengths-Based
    We take a respectful, affirming approach to every assessment, ensuring that autistic, ADHD, and disabled people feel recognised and supported. Our reports focus on strengths, lived experiences, and functional needs, rather than deficits.

  • Holistic & Person-Centred
    We assess how all aspects of a person’s life—physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and sensory factors—intersect with disability. This ensures a comprehensive understanding of support needs and pathways to independence.

  • Tailored, Practical Recommendations
    Every FCA results in an individualised, goal-focused support plan that reflects the person’s strengths, priorities, and long-term goals. Our recommendations are meaningful, flexible, and adaptive, ensuring that supports evolve as needed.

  • Multidisciplinary Expertise
    A Specialist Multidisciplinary Team, including a Developmental Educator, Occupational Therapist, and Clinical Nurse Specialist complete our assessments. Each clinician brings unique expertise and insights, providing a well-rounded, evidence-based evaluation.

  • Comprehensive, NDIS-Ready Reports
    We provide clear, structured, and professionally formatted FCA reports that meet NDIS guidelines and funding criteria. This ensures that the report can be used for NDIS access requests, plan reviews, and funding approvals.

  • Transparent Communication & Support
    We prioritise clear, ongoing communication with clients and families. Our team guides you through the process, ensuring you understand the findings, recommendations, and next steps.

  • Inclusive & Respectful Approach
    JSA is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and affirming space where clients and their families feel respected, heard, and supported throughout the assessment journey.

 

Our goal is to provide thorough, high-quality, and actionable FCA reports that help secure the right supports and services, empowering each person to live with greater autonomy, confidence, and quality of life.

 

Get in Touch

To learn more about how a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) at JSA can help you or to schedule an assessment, contact our team today. We are here to provide guidance every step of the way.

How FCAs are Conducted

Intake

​

Your clinician will get to know you and your circumstances during an intake that lasts about 90 minutes, and document observations and important details for the FCA assessment.

​

Questionnaires

 

Our team will contact you with the FCA questionnaires and evidenced-based assessments that will be crucial for your FCA and communicating your needs to the NDIA.

 

Report

​

Your clinician will use all the data, observations, and intake details to write a comprehensive FCA. Our multidisciplinary team will review this and then you receive a completed FCA.

​

Assessments we use for the FCA process:

Adult Assessments

  • WHODAS 2.0

  • Life Skills Profile (16-item version) (LSP-16)

  • Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System, Third Edition (ABAS-III

  • Vineland-3 Comprehensive

  • Sensory Profile Adolescent/Adult

  • BECK Anxiety Inventory (17 to 80 years)

  • BECK Depression Inventory (13 to 80 years)

  • BECK Scale for Suicide Ideation (17 years and older)

  • Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale - 16 item version (DERS-16)

  • Social Avoidance and Distress Scale (SADS)

  • Caregiver Self-Assessment Questionnaire (American Medical Association)

  • Kingston Caregiver Stress Scale (KCSS)

  • Repetitive Behaviour Questionnaire-3 (RBQ-3)

  • Extreme Demand Avoidance Questionnaire for Adults (EDA-QA)

​

Child/Adolescents Assessments

  • Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory Computer Adaptive Test

  • WHODAS Child

  • Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System, Third Edition (ABAS-III

  • Sensory Profile Adolescent/Adult (11+ years)

  • Sensory Profile 2 (Birth to 14 years)

  • BECK Anxiety Inventory (17 to 80 years)

  • BECK Depression Inventory (13 to 80 years)

  • BECK Scale for Suicide Ideation (17 years and older)

  • Caregiver Self-Assessment Questionnaire (American Medical Association)

  • Kingston Caregiver Stress Scale (KCSS)

  • Repetitive Behaviour Questionnaire-3 (RBQ-3)

  • Extreme Demand Avoidance 8-item measure (EDA-8) (5 to 17 years)

​

Participants requiring nursing assessments in their FCAs can include: 

  • Braden Scale for Pressure Ulcer Risk

  • Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) for nutritional assessment

  • Numeric Pain Rating Scale for pain management

  • Fall Risk Assessment Tool (Morse Fall Scale)

  • Barthel Index for assessing activities of daily living

  • Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for cognitive function

  • Glasgow Coma Scale for Consciousness Level

  • Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for cognitive impairment

Our interventions at JARDIN SPECTRUM ASSIST go beyond standard practices. We are deeply committed to respecting the individual narratives of autistic and disabled people. Our support is tailored to recognise and honour the unique strengths and experiences of each person we work with. As we continue to listen, learn, and adapt, our mission remains clear: empowering individuals to lead lives defined by their own goals, dreams, and strengths—free from societal limitations.

DEAI logo

JARDIN SPECTRUM ASSIST acknowledges the First Nations of South East Queensland and their ongoing connection to Country, lands, and waterways. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land. 

​

We acknowledge, appreciate, and celebrate diversity, being fully committed to inclusivity.

​

Flags.png

©2024 by Jardin Spectrum Assist ABN 97 676 052 127.

We love NDIS-Self-Plan-Provider-Neurodiversity
bottom of page