FCE guages physical ability

Occupational Therapist Ron Bendewald uses a standardized test to evaluate a client's hand manipulation when conducting a Functional Capacity Evaluation.

Outreach work done by Anne Carlsen Center for Children’s Community Integration specialists to evaluate transition-aged young adults with disabilities, pinpointed a need to assess physical
ability along with employment interests.

They began calling on Occupational Therapist Ron Bendewald who is trained to administer Functional Capacity Evaluations. Often used to help determine if and when adults can return to work after an accident, Bendewald has found the FCE to be a valuable assessment tool for young adults with disabilities.

An FCE is a tool used to help make objective and reliable recommendations about a client’s condition.
“What comes out of the FCE is basic recommendations about a person’s ability to really perform,” he said.

He evaluates areas including:
• repetitive activities
• lifting and handling
• movement abilities and strength
• following direction

“Sometimes I pull many pieces into an assessment,” he said, “like sensory and visual motor elements, for example. That’s what makes our FCEs different and unique. It’s more tailored to the student’s individual needs.”

“It’s important,” he said, “to look at what an individual will be doing in all areas of his or her life. They need consistency in daily living and vocational training.”

For that reason, he says, he is an advocate for re-involving OTs on a child’s team in the transition years.

“OTs are so strong in looking at all areas of a person’s life,” he said.

Functional Capacity Evaluations take about four hours and can take place at ACCC or another location if more convenient.