Functional Capacity Assessment

A Functional Capacity Assessment is a detailed evaluation of a child’s ability to participate in daily activities, communicate, learn, regulate emotions, manage sensory input, and engage with others.
Unlike traditional assessments that only test skills in isolation, our FCA incorporates a Routines-Based Interview (RBI) to deeply understand:

• • What everyday life looks like
  • Where challenges occur
  • What is going well
  • What is meaningful for the family
  • Where supports can create the biggest impact

This approach produces richer, more accurate information for NDIS planning, recommendations, and goal setting.
FCAs are often required for:

• • NDIS Access Requests
  • Plan Reviews or Change of Situation
  • Requesting increased capacity-building support
  • Evidence for goal setting and therapy planning
  • Understanding developmental and participation barrier

Our FCA process includes a Routines-Based Interview, a family-centred conversation that explores the child’s participation across the entire day, including:

• • Morning routines
  • Mealtimes and feeding
  • Play at home
  • Transitions
  • Childcare/kindergarten/school routines
  • Community outings
  • Bedtime and sleep
  • Interactions with siblings
  • Emotional and sensory patterns
  • Communication during everyday moments

This approach helps us identify real-life, functional, and meaningful goals that reflect what families truly want support with — not just what appears in a standardised test.

The Routines-Based Model ensures our recommendations:

• • Fit the family’s lifestyle
  • Are achievable and functional
  • Support independence and participation
  • Build capacity in daily living
  • Address barriers across natural environments
  • Align with NDIS expectations for functional evidence

Each Functional Capacity Assessment is personalised and may include:

1. Parent/Caregiver Routines-Based Interview (RBI)

A detailed exploration of daily routines to understand strengths, challenges, and priorities.

2. Direct Assessment Sessions

Observations and formal assessment tools completed in the clinic, home, school, or childcare setting.

3. Communication & Social Skills Assessment (if applicable)

Evaluating expressive/receptive language, social communication, play, and AAC needs.

4. Sensory & Emotional Regulation Assessment

Understanding sensory patterns, behaviour, and environmental factors.

5. Motor Skills & Functional Independence Assessment

Fine motor, gross motor, play, handwriting, coordination, self-care, and daily living participation.

6. Educator, Teacher or Support Worker Input

Where appropriate, we gather school or childcare perspectives for a complete picture.

7. Comprehensive NDIS-Ready FCA Report

Includes:

• • Functional strengths
  • Routine-based observations
  • Impact of disability
  • Environmental considerations
  • Recommended goals
  • Therapy supports (hours, frequency, type)
  • Assistive technology suggestions (if needed)
  • Parent coaching and capacity-building strategies

8. Feedback Session

A clear, supportive discussion about findings and next steps.

• • Uses the Routines-Based Model for meaningful, real-life insight
  • Clear, comprehensive, NDIS-aligned reporting
  • Warm, family-friendly and relationship-based approach
  • Balanced view of strengths and challenges
  • Recommendations that make sense in daily life
  • Collaboration with childcare, schools, and allied health providers
  • Clinic and mobile assessment options
  • Fast, reliable communication and turnaround

Our reports can support a range of needs, including:

• • NDIS access or early childhood pathway applications

  • NDIS review preparation

  • school and childcare transition planning

  • collaboration with paediatricians, GPs and other therapists

We focus on real-world function and meaningful outcomes.

📍 Clinic Sessions

Held at our western suburbs headquarters.

🚗 Mobile & Community Sessions

Across Adelaide’s western suburbs in:
Homes • Childcare • Kindergartens • Schools • Community locations

A typical FCA process includes:

• • 1–2 hours for the Routines-Based Interview
  • 1–2 direct assessment sessions (60–90 mins each)
  • Optional school/childcare observation
  • Report writing and formulation
  • Feedback session for families

Timelines vary depending on individual needs.

We are currently accepting new FCA referrals.

👉 Referral Form

We will contact you within 2–5 business days to discuss next steps.

We are happy to help you decide if an FCA is appropriate.

📞 Phone: 0460 885 008
📧 Email: [email protected]
📋Contact Us form: Found below!

🌱 Helping children grow, connect & thrive — day by day.

Learn more about our Assessment & Reporting process.

Explore our Speech Pathology services.

Read about our Occupational Therapy support.

See how we partner with families on our Working Together page.

Find out how we set meaningful therapy goals on our Setting Goals page.

Explore all of our Therapy Services.