Myth Busting: NDIS won't fund that

By bobb |

Chris Coombes

When chatting with colleagues, planners, or even looking at NDIS resources such as the “Would we fund it” page, you might come away with the impression that the NDIS doesn’t fund a specific support, that it’s forbidden. For example, someone might tell you, “the NDIS does not fund chiropractic”, or “the NDIS does not fund support worker hours for anyone under seven, or psychology for someone in prison without a release date, or yachts, yoga, spaceships, sex toys,” or… whatever. But the NDIS Act is silent on the specific supports that it won’t fund.

NDIS to fund assistance dog

By bobb |

CYHY is an 8 year old boy who has autism, social communication disorder, generalised anxiety disorder and ADHD.

CYHY’s mother requested that he be provided with an assistance dog from Smart Pups Assistance Dogs for Special Needs Children Inc. in exchange for a “donation” of $20,000 to be funded under the NDIS.

The NDIA rejected this support, and his mother appealed the decision at the AAT.

Preparing kids for life after school is tough. When your child has autism, it can be overwhelming

By bobb |

Damian McIver

Eighteen-year-old Jake Course's life has been built around routines and familiarity.

Every day, it's toasted cheese sandwiches and raisin toast. The Wiggles and Thomas the Tank Engine. Tinkering with his dad's hot rod cars, building with Lego, and attending the Sunshine Special Developmental School in Melbourne's west.

This month, he will complete Year 12, and the school bus which has been picking him up and dropping him home for the last 13 years will come no more.

interim submission on the sustainability of the NDIS

By convenor |

A4's interim submission on the sustainability of the NDIS is available online.

The submission contains some recent data about the number of people diagnosed formally with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and receiving either an NDIS plan or Carer's Allowance (child). These diagnosis rates are often interpreted as indicators of autism prevalence in our community.

The following data is reported in Annex A.

Grace under fire

By bobb |

Grace Tame raised her voice and started a revolution that would change the national conversation. But being Australian of the Year has taken a toll.

Grace Tame has lost track of the number of speeches she’s given since being named Australian of the Year. She just knows she can’t keep up this pace forever.

For adults and children on the autism spectrum, getting a COVID-19 vaccine is easier said than done

By bobb |

Neryssa Azlan

Peta Rostirola received her COVID-19 vaccine at a mass vaccine site and thought the whole process was smooth and easy.

But when her 13-year-old son, Pablo, became eligible for the vaccine, she knew it would be a different story altogether.

Pablo is on the autism spectrum, and while experiences may vary, people on the spectrum may deal with sensory issues if they visit a new or crowded place.

Victorian mother struggling to get son with severe autism vaccinated against COVID-19 ahead of state reopening

By bobb |

Neelima Choahan

When Victoria opens up later this month, Janine Terry is scared her only son will be locked up at home forever. 

For the past five months, the 62-year-old has been desperate trying to get him vaccinated. 

Tim, 39, has severe autism, osteoporosis and epilepsy. He is also terrified of needles. 

"In May … I asked our family doctor about Tim being vaccinated," Ms Terry said.