Functional Assessment Screening Tools

Functional assessments measure how well a person functions within a certain category, and different assessments are assigned to different groups of people. The elderly care field utilizes a different functional assessment than professionals dealing with the developmentally disabled, and behavior problems will also receive a separate functional assessment.

Elderly Care

• Elderly care functional assessments are conducted to discover the physical and mental function of the elderly adult. The test will measure how well the individual walks, how well they see, hear and reach for objects, and their continence issues. The assessment measures nutrition factors and tests individuals to find any shortcomings in self care.

Developmentally Disabled

• The Developmental Disabilities Administration in Washington, DC has created a checklist to assess the functions of the developmentally disabled. The questionnaire targets a specific behavior to be measured in comparison to the functioning ability of the individual.

Behavior Issues

• Behavior functional assessments are used when undesired behaviors are occurring frequently. The assessment is completed to determine how well an individual functions within certain situations. The results are used as a baseline for observations of other behaviors and to verify likely behavioral functions of the individual.