Title: Assessing levels of functioning
Headings: Assessing levels of functioning
Assessing levels of functioning
What functional assessment covers
Functional assessment domains
Examples of functional assessment tools
Find out more

Content: Assessing levels of functioning
Assessing levels of functioning
Functional assessments help identify the level of support, supervision and resources a person needs. They can be used to determine eligibility, care planning and assessing outcomes. What functional assessment covers
Functional assessment domains
Examples of functional assessment tools
Find out more
What functional assessment covers
Functional assessment practices consider differences in cognition, communication, sensory abilities (sight, hearing) and mobility. Rather than simply asking people questions about their educational history or contact with disability-related support services, or whether they can perform a specific skill related to cognitive functioning, it's better to ask them to demonstrate a particular skill. In other words, you assess what a person 'does do', rather than what they 'can do'. Functional assessment shifts the focus from the cause of disability or cognitive impairment to the impact of the condition. It's important to distinguish between capacity limitations that result directly from a person's health status and those limitations in which a person's participation is restricted due to environmental factors, including their physical environment and social circumstances ( World Health Organization 2003 ). The World Health Organization lists a number of activity and participation domains in its Checklist for International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health ( World Health Organization 2003) that should be considered in functional assessments. Back to top
Functional assessment domains
Domain
Skills
Learning and applying knowledge
Watching
Listening
Reading
Writing
Arithmetic
Solving problems
Communication
Receiving and producing spoken message
Receiving or producing non-verbal messages
Conversation
Domestic life and mobility
Shopping
Preparing meals
Self-care/hygiene
Housework
Using transport
Simple exercise (taking stairs, walking short distances)
Interpersonal interactions and relationships
Forming and maintaining intimate relationships
Forming and maintaining social relationships with family and friends
Relating to strangers
A person's functioning in the context of their environment also needs to be considered, including available supports such as family, health and support services, medication, and aids for communication and memory. Back to top
Examples of functional assessment tools
The I-CAN (Instrument for Classification and Assessment of Support Needs) was developed to assess and classify the support needs of adults (16 years plus) with diverse disabilities in residential and respite settings, but its use has been expanded to mental health and rehabilitation programs.