Functional Assessment Essay

Functional Assessment

The functional assessment is how the family interacts with one another. This part of the assessment is divided into two subcategories; instrumental and expressive functioning.

Instrumental Functioning

This function refers to how the family goes about their activities of daily living. The B family’s daily routine is often very chaotic. PB wakes up at 530 each morning and gets himself ready and out the door by 7. He spends his entire day at work. He often works late because he is his own boss, therefore he is not making money if he is not working. KB gets up early each morning, wakes all 3 children, prepares them breakfast and makes sure they each get to school on time. During the day KB takes PB to his preschool and his

(Wright & Leahey, 2013, p.124). These categories do not determine whether a family is healthy or not, rather it is the family’s own judgment on if they are functioning well or if their is need for improvement. There are nine subcategories in this model per Wright & Leahey (2013) and include: (a) emotional communication, (b) nonverbal communication, (c) verbal communication, (d) circular communication, (e) problem solving, (f) roles, (g) influence and power, (g) beliefs, and (i) alliances and

Both parents have similar communication styles. KB always jokes that she yells too much and it 's starting to rub off on her children. Both parents often stress to their children that they need to talk out their issues in order for them to be solved.

Nonverbal Communication. KB shows very open and approachable nonverbal communication. She has a friendly demeanor to her. She presents herself as a well dressed, put together women. She is always dressed to impress, which shows that she cares about her appearance. PB is a very approachable man as well. He is very welcoming and outgoing.

When talking to their children both parents ask that the children stop what they are doing and that they look at who is speaking. By doing this they hope that the children listen to what is being said and it is used as a sign of respect.

Circular Communication. Circular communication refers to the reciprocal communication between people (Wright & Leahey, 2013, p.128). This communication method looks at how the family reacts to disagreements in a circular pattern. PB and KB have great communication between one another. Their style of communication would be expresses needs and in return gets support. This goes both ways from PB expressing his concerns and being supported by his wife and vice