Functional Skills Assessment for Special Education (Life Skills, Data + IEP Planning)

The Assessment of Functional Skills in the Educational Environment is a comprehensive, school‑based occupational and physical therapy evaluation tool designed to help teams understand how a student functions within their natural learning environment. This resource supports therapists, teachers, and families in identifying functional strengths, barriers, and needs that impact a student’s participation in school activities — from classroom learning to mobility, self‑care, sensory processing, and motor skills.

Created to bring clarity and calm to a complex process, this assessment breaks down each functional domain into clear, observable skills with easy‑to‑use scoring codes (Functional, Supervision, Physical Assistance, Emerging). It guides evaluators in documenting not just performance, but the context, supports, equipment, and environmental factors that influence a student’s ability to access their education.

Provides structured guidance for writing clear, jargon‑free summaries of functional strengths and needs across all domains — supporting high‑quality Present Levels of Performance and data‑driven decisions about therapy services.

Functional performance is at the heart of school participation. This assessment helps teams see the whole child — not just test scores — by documenting how the student moves, learns, plays, communicates, and navigates their environment. It supports equitable decision‑making, clearer Present Levels, and more meaningful therapy recommendations.