What type of assessment directly observes client performance in a practical setting?

Performance-based assessments are designed to directly observe a client's performance in real-world or practical settings. This type of assessment focuses on evaluating an individual's ability to engage in specific tasks or activities within their environment, which provides valuable insights into their functional capabilities and limitations. The hands-on nature of these assessments allows practitioners to witness how clients interact with their surroundings, apply their skills, and respond to various challenges.

This direct observation is crucial because it can reveal factors that may not be apparent through self-reports or standardized questionnaires. Performance-based assessments can include activities such as cooking, dressing, or using public transportation, which reflect everyday challenges faced by clients and help guide therapeutic interventions.

In contrast, structured interviews primarily gather subjective information through verbal questioning without direct observation, psycho-social evaluations focus on mental health and social interactions rather than functional performance, and cognitive assessments evaluate mental processes such as memory and problem-solving skills without assessing practical application in a real-world context.