What Is a Paediatric Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA)?
What is a Functional Capacity Assessment?
A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is a detailed assessment that looks at how a child manages everyday activities:
- Self-care and daily routines
- Communication and social participation
- Learning and school tasks
- Community, play and leisure
The goal is to understand what’s working well, what feels hard, and what supports are needed for your child to participate as fully as possible.
Why are FCAs often requested for NDIS?
The NDIS makes decisions based on how disability impacts a person’s function – not just their diagnosis.
A paediatric FCA can:
- Provide clear evidence of your child’s support needs
- Help justify therapy hours, supports and assistive technology
- Offer practical recommendations for home, school and community settings
Families often find that a high-quality FCA helps their child’s NDIS plan better reflect real life.
What does a paediatric FCA involve?
While each assessment is individual, it usually includes:
Parent / carer interview
We talk with you in detail about:
- Your child’s history, strengths and interests
- Daily routines (mornings, school, evenings, weekends)
- What is going well and what feels tiring or stressful
- Your priorities and hopes for the future
Direct assessment with your child
This may include:
- Observations of play and everyday tasks
- Standardised assessments (e.g. motor skills, visual perception, sensory processing)
- School or community observations if appropriate and agreed
We keep things as child-friendly and play-based as possible.
Standardised assessments that may be used
Depending on your child’s age and needs, we may use formal assessments to understand functional strengths and support needs. These help translate observations into clear, NDIS-relevant evidence.
For children and young people under 16:
- Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales
- PEDI-CAT (Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory – Computer Adaptive Test)
For teens and adults aged 17+:
- Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales
- WHODAS 2.0 (World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule)
Optional / additional assessments:
- Sensory Profile (if sensory processing is a concern or contributes to functional difficulties)
These tools help us describe daily functioning in a way that aligns with NDIS language and criteria.
Input from others (where appropriate)
With your consent, we may speak with:
- Teachers or support staff
- Other therapists
- Support coordinators
This helps us see the bigger picture across settings.
Comprehensive written report
You receive a detailed report that:
- Describes your child’s strengths and support needs
- Outlines how their disability impacts daily life
- Recommends therapy, supports, strategies and any equipment
- Links findings clearly to NDIS language and domains
How we keep FCAs child-centred and respectful
At All Things Therapy, we are careful that an FCA:
- Focuses on capacity, not just “deficits”
- Uses respectful, neuroaffirming language
- Reflects your child’s voice and preferences wherever possible
- Includes practical, realistic recommendations you can actually use
When might a FCA be right for your child?
You may consider a paediatric FCA if:
- You are applying for NDIS for the first time
- Your child’s support needs have changed significantly
- You’re preparing for plan review and want clearer evidence
- You feel current reports don’t fully capture your child’s day-to-day reality
If you’re unsure, our team can help you decide whether a full FCA is necessary or if a shorter review report would be enough.
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