“It’s so hard to concentrate!” “I keep dropping things!” “People don’t understand what I am saying!” “I feel so depressed all the time!” It can be so frustrating, but who can you turn to? If you are someone who is having physical or mental difficulties you are not alone, The Australian Government’s NDIS, which stands for National Disability Insurance Scheme, is there to help you!
If you bring your problems to the NDIS they will perform a functional capacity assessment that is designed to evaluate an individual’s ability to perform daily tasks while at home, at work, and out in the community. If you seek out an NDIS Functional Capacity Assessment, FCA for short, you will be guided through a personalised process to help prepare you to access the scheme, make an application for additional funding, or consider changes in your current life circumstances. An Occupational Therapist, or OT will work with you to make a careful, holistic evaluation of what your personal needs are so that NDIS can know how to best support you.
The following is what you can expect when you participate in your assessment:
First Appointment – The OT will be given a referral to your case. Try to include as much relevant information as you can in your referral. During this first appointment, the OT will lay out the assessment’s purpose and obtain your consent to work with them.
Assessment – You and your OT will schedule assessment appointments and choose appropriate assessment tools. The assessment will cover your daily challenges, such as social participation & interaction, communication, self-management, self-care, learning, environment, economic participation, leisure, as well as what level of assistance you might need. The tools used will be standardized assessments, observations, interviews, and reviews of your prior health reports.
Gather Information – Your OT will gather information about your cognitive, physical, psychosocial, and sensory status. The NDIS needs to understand your ability to perform daily tasks. This may involve discussing very personal things including relationships and personal care. The more transparent you are the more your OT can help you. Anything you say is confidential. Tell your OT if you are uncomfortable, but remember they want to help you!
Evaluate Functional Capacity – Your abilities and strengths along with barriers will be evaluated to see the effect your disability and environment have on your daily life functional capacity.
Goals and Needs – You’ll discuss your goals with your OT who will pinpoint your support needs, such as assistive devices and help with daily living needs.
Recommendations – Recommendations regarding occupational therapy and suggestions for NDIS funding will be made that closely align with your goals as well as NDIS reasonable and necessary support criteria.
Finalization – Once they finish their report, during your next session you will review it together so you can ask any questions or share concerns before the report’s finalization. Once it’s finalized, you’ll receive a copy of the report, which is also shared with any other parties that you have consented to receive it.
For more information check the official NDIS web pages. Help awaits you, so don’t hesitate to get it!
