Functional Capacity Assessments

assessments for all life stages | sydney 

Psychologists | Speech Language Pathologists | Occupational Therapists | Exercise Physiologists | Therapy Assistants

Psychologists | Speech Language Pathologists | Occupational Therapists | Exercise Physiologists | Therapy Assistants |

A comprehensive assessment to understand your child's strengths, support needs, and everyday functioning.
 

What does a Functional Capacity Assessment explore?



A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is a detailed occupational therapy assessment that explores how your child manages the activities and demands of daily life. It provides a clear picture of your child's current abilities, support needs, participation, and goals across home, school, and community environments.

For NDIS participants, an FCA can provide important evidence to support plan reviews, funding requests, changes in support needs, and future planning.
At Spectrum Therapy Australia, our Functional Capacity Assessments are strengths-based, family-centred, and neurodiversity-affirming. We focus on understanding who your child is, what helps them thrive, and the supports that will enable meaningful participation in everyday life.




Depending on your child's age, goals, and circumstances, an FCA may explore:
  • Daily living skills and independence
  • Personal care, dressing, hygiene, and mealtime skills
  • Communication and social participation
  • Emotional regulation and coping skills
  • Executive functioning, organisation, and planning
  • Learning and school participation
  • Community access and participation
  • Sensory processing and regulation
  • Fine and gross motor skills
  • Safety awareness and supervision needs
  • Impact of disability on everyday functioning
  • Current supports and recommendations for future supports

The assessment aims to identify both your child's strengths and the barriers that may impact participation in everyday activities.

Who may benefit from a Functional Capacity Assessment?

A Functional Capacity Assessment may be appropriate for children and adolescents who:

  • Are NDIS participants
  • Are preparing for an NDIS plan review
  • Need evidence to support funding requests
  • Require documentation of support needs
  • Have experienced significant changes in functioning
  • Need recommendations regarding therapy, support workers, equipment, or environmental modifications
  • Have Autism, ADHD, Intellectual Disability, Global Developmental Delay, Cerebral Palsy, or other developmental disabilities
  • Need a comprehensive picture of their current functional abilities

Step 5 – Comprehensive report


Following the assessment, your occupational therapist will prepare a detailed Functional Capacity Assessment report.

The report may include:
  • Background information and history
  • Assessment findings
  • Standardised assessment results
  • Functional strengths and challenges
  • Impact of disability on daily life
  • Current support requirements
  • Recommendations for supports and services
  • Recommendations for therapy, equipment, assistive technology, or environmental modifications
  • Evidence relevant to NDIS planning and funding decisions

Reports are typically completed within 4–6 weeks and released once full payment has been received.


Step 4 – Collaboration with key people


Where appropriate, information may also be gathered from teachers, therapists, support workers, or other important people involved in your child's life.



Step 3 – Assessment sessions


Your child will participate in a combination of observations, structured activities, standardised assessments, and play-based tasks. The assessment process is designed to be engaging and supportive, while gathering meaningful information about functional skills and participation.




Step 2 – Parent and caregiver interview


Before your appointment, we will ask parents or caregivers to complete questionnaires and provide relevant reports. This may include previous assessments, school reports, medical information, and NDIS documentation.



Step 1 – Initial information gathering

What happens during a Functional Capacity Assessment?

Your occupational therapist will meet with you to gain a detailed understanding of your child's strengths, challenges, daily routines, support needs, and goals.

Step 6 – Feedback session


A feedback session provides an opportunity to review the report, discuss recommendations, answer questions, and plan next steps.

How we keep assessments person‑centred

Whether supporting a child, teen, or adult, we ensure the process is respectful, predictable, and affirming.

We:
  • Follow the person’s pace
  • Use play, movement, or interests to build connection (for younger clients)
  • Avoid deficit‑based language
  • Respect all communication — spoken, typed, gestural, AAC, or behaviour
  • Create a sensory‑considerate environment
  • Prioritise comfort, autonomy, and consent

Our aim is for every person to feel understood, not judged.

Funding and rebates

You may be able to access:

Medicare rebates (with a GP referral)
Private health rebates (depending on your fund)
NDIS funding for self‑managed or plan‑managed participants

Spectrum Therapy Australia is not an NDIS registered provider.

We practise a neurodiversity-affirming approach. This means… 

Inspiring every child to embrace their strengths and unique-nesses — at home, at school, and beyond.

LET’S START THIS JOURNEY

years Combined clinical experience



Families who have walked through our door

Appointments with families


2250+
32500+
50+

Behind every success story, there’s a passionate support team.

The Spectrum Therapy team is as diverse as they come — speech therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, exercise physiologists, and therapy assistants. They’re not just experts, they’re the secret sauce behind our whole-child approach.

OUR SERVICES

A peek inside our most popular programs

We offer more services, including intensives and other specialised programs.

TAKE A DEEPER DIVE INTO ALL OUR SERVICES

Masterclasses For Parents & Professionals


Occupational therapy

Speech therapy

Psychology therapy

Diagnostic And Functional Assessment

Social Connection Programs

Occupational therapy

Navigating the physical world is more than just playing on the monkey bars! OT helps teach essential life skills, like writing, using the bathroom, dressing independently, and emotion regulation and sensory difficulties.

Masterclasses For Parents & Professionals

Occupational therapy

Speech therapy

Psychology therapy

Diagnostic And Functional Assessment

Social Connection Programs

Speech therapy

Many of us take communication for granted, but its subtleties can be tricky for others. Our speech-language pathologists help your child master these language nuances and develop their social skills.

Masterclasses For Parents & Professionals

Occupational therapy

Speech therapy

Psychology therapy

Diagnostic And Functional Assessment

Social Connection Programs

Psychology Therapy

Therapy can benefit anyone, but for individuals with autism, it can be transformative. We provide a safe space to address big emotions, helping your child find calm, clarity, and confidence.

Masterclasses For Parents & Professionals

Occupational therapy

Speech therapy

Psychology therapy

Diagnostic And Functional Assessment

Social Connection Programs

Diagnostic and Functional Assessment

A diagnosis is more than a label. It’s an explanation. Understanding your child’s diagnosis is the first step to unlocking the right support and resources they need.

Masterclasses For Parents & Professionals

Occupational therapy

Speech therapy

Psychology therapy

Diagnostic And Functional Assessment

Social Connection Programs

Social Connection Programs

There’s no better way for your child to master friendship skills than in an interactive setting! This gives your child a fun and engaging opportunity to practise social interactions in a supportive environment.

Masterclasses For Parents & Professionals

Occupational therapy

Speech therapy

Psychology therapy

Diagnostic And Functional Assessment

Social Connection Programs

Masterclasses For Parents

Sick of endless Googling and second-guessing? Our self-paced masterclasses empower you with the tools to support your child's unique needs and become the parent you've always wanted to be.

TAKE OUR CLINIC FOR A TEST DRIVE WITH THIS FREE GUIDE

5 Ways to Help Your Child Regulate Big Emotions

Feeling overwhelmed trying to help your little one with big feelings? This FREE comprehensive guide, packed with evidence-based tools, covers everything from environment to sensory strategies, giving you practical support you can use right away.

RESOURCES YOU’LL FIND HELPFUL

Visit our shop!

This is your one-stop shop for all things early childhood development! Here, you can find our guides, self-paced courses, stimming toys, and more, accessible to families everywhere.