Functional Assessments for teenagers with developmental disabilities

Functional skills assessments are evaluations used to determine an individual’s abilities, strengths, and needs in specific areas of functioning. These assessments can be used to identify the supports and interventions that are needed to help an individual with a disability lead a more independent and fulfilling life.

Some common areas that functional skills assessments may evaluate include:

– Communication: This may include assessments of expressive language, receptive language, and alternative or augmentative communication systems.

– Social skills: Assessments in this area may evaluate an individual’s ability to interact appropriately with others, make friends, and understand social cues and norms.

– Self-care: These assessments may evaluate an individual’s ability to complete daily living tasks such as dressing, grooming, eating, and toileting.

– Motor skills: These assessments may evaluate an individual’s fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and coordination.

– Cognition: These assessments may evaluate an individual’s cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, problem-solving, and executive functioning.

– Academics: These assessments may evaluate an individual’s reading, writing, and math abilities.

– Vocational skills: These assessments may evaluate an individual’s ability to perform certain tasks, skills or jobs.

Functional skills assessments can be conducted by a variety of professionals, including psychologists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and special education teachers. Assessments are also done with respect to cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, to ensure that the assessments are not just culturally fair but also appropriate to the individual’s needs.

. The results of a functional skills assessment can be used to develop an individualized education program (IEP) or a support plan, which is tailored to the specific needs of the individual. These assessments are typically done on an ongoing basis to monitor progress and adapt to the changing needs of the individual.

Overall, functional skills assessments are an important tool for understanding the abilities and needs of individuals with disabilities. They can help identify strengths, challenges and areas in need of support, and provide a foundation for developing effective interventions that can enhance the individual’s independence and quality of life. At Sitaray, we conduct the following functional assessments: a) Assessment for living skills (AFLS), b) Essentials for living (EFL) and c) Vineland. After the assessment, a comprehensive programme is developed by our clinical director, Dr. Adnan Khan who is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA).