Functional Capacity Assessment Tools Explained: WHODAS 2.0, LSP-16 and COPM

Why standardised tools matter

A report that says "needs a lot of help" is hard to act on. A report that shows scored results from recognised tools, matched with observation in your own home, gives the NDIA clear, objective evidence. The tools also give a baseline so progress can be measured over time.

WHODAS 2.0

The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 asks how much difficulty you have had in the last 30 days across six areas: understanding and communicating, getting around, self-care, getting along with people, life activities such as household, work or study, and participation in society. Scores show the level of disability across those areas. It works for many conditions and is widely recognised.

LSP-16

The Life Skills Profile 16 is a short measure of functioning, often used for people with psychosocial disability or mental health conditions. It looks at withdrawal, self-care, compliance, anti-social behaviour and responsibility. It is typically completed from the viewpoint of someone who knows the person well, such as a carer or support worker, and is useful where insight or reporting is limited.

COPM

The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure is different. It is a conversation-based tool where you identify the everyday activities that matter most to you and rate how well you do them and how satisfied you are. It puts your goals at the centre and makes the report personal, not just clinical. It is also helpful for measuring change after therapy.

How they fit into a report

Your OT chooses tools to suit your situation, then combines results with home observation, your history and medical information. The report links what the scores and observations show to the supports you need. Tools are a part of the picture, not the whole of it.

More on FCAs

Read what an FCA is, how much it costs and how it is funded, or see our FCA service page. Under the NDIS, occupational therapy is usually funded from Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living Skills (Category 15). Equipment is funded from Capital – Assistive Technology (Category 05) and home modifications from Capital – Home Modifications (Category 06). Self-funded OT is limited to functional capacity assessments for people applying for the NDIS.

Evidence referenced in this article

• National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA): information for participants and providers.
• World Health Organization: disability and functioning resources.
• Occupational Therapy Australia.

Written by the Exercare allied health team. This article is general information only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Exercare provides mobile exercise physiology and NDIS occupational therapy across south-east and eastern Melbourne.

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