cruel NDIS policy targets the most autistic and vulnerable NDIS participants

By convenor |
NDIS logo - broken into two bits

NDIS policy (AAT Case Management Guide Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) - see below) fails some of the youngest and most severely autistic NDIS participants. Clinicians advise that some children with severe/profound or classic autism need intensive early intervention for their autism. NDIS policy (see below) says funding for the required early intervention depends on families winning a case against the government in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).

National Autism Roadmap: Nice vision, but where is the funding?

By convenor |
Australia's National Autism ¾-Strategy - blue circle with 1/4 cut out

Media Release

Autistic Australians and their carers are calling for answers after a long-awaited plan to address the disparities in healthcare for Autistic individuals was today released by the Australian Government's Department of Health, with the disclaimer that funding is yet to be secured. 

The roadmap, which was drafted in December 2024 was reviewed by Minister Rishworth and Minister Butler before reaching the Prime Minister’s desk, who declined funding under his government.

Is generic speech therapy for autistic children evidence-based?

By bobb |
Speech Pathology Australia logo

Answer: it appears not.

Recently, the NDIS was unable to provide any evidential basis for having generic speech or occupational therapy listed as a support for autistic children - see https://a4.org.au/node/2674

There are various other examples where evidence supporting generic speech therapy is missing. These include research reviews for Australian Government agencies - in particular

255 Organisations Demand More Time to Codesign NDIS Reforms

By bobb |
Every Australian Counts logo

Australia's disability sector, including A4, united over the government's poor approach to disability reform. They said: 

A coalition of 255 disability organisations and providers, including Australia’s peak disability representative bodies, have come together to call for urgent action from the Government and the new Minister for the NDIS, Amanda Rishworth, to protect the safety and wellbeing of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants amid rushed reforms.

Australia's Disability Strategy 2021-31 ... 2024 Update - autistic Australians are still missing

By convenor |
Australia's Disability Strategy 2021-2031 logo plus test - Creating and Inclusive community together

14 days after the release of Australia's National Autism ¾-Strategy (NA¾S), the Government released its 2024 update to Australia's Disability Strategy 2021-31 (ADS). 

In respect of the ADS, the NA¾S said: 

The Evaluation Good Practice Guide Checklist developed under ADS will underpin the approach to [NA¾S] evaluation activities. 

and 

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