cruel NDIS policy targets the most autistic and vulnerable NDIS participants

By convenor |

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).

Hannah's son was put in a box at school. She's one of many parents calling out the practice

By bobb |
boy-size cardboard box

Zacharias Szumer

The widespread use of 'restrictive practices' in Australian schools is leaving children with disability traumatised and their parents exasperated. Some teachers are also appalled by what they've seen.

Hannah's nine-year-old son Max is intelligent, particularly in "maths, science and thinking outside the box," she says.

Yet, because of behavioural issues he was having at his school in regional Western Australia, he was put in a box — literally.

SBS News has changed both their names for privacy.

Changes in the Concept of Autism - 2024

By convenor |

Our understanding of autism has changed over the last forty years.

Historically, autism was diagnosed based on narrow criteria. Today, while still defined by social and communication difficulties, rigid interests and repetitive behaviours, the autism spectrum is far wider, and the historical under-diagnosis of women and girls is being addressed.

‘Autisms’ are more often discussed as neurodivergence rather than a single ‘disorder’ to be treated.

This lecture explores how our understanding of autism has changed, and directions for future research.

Report reveals economic cost of school suspensions — kids with disabilities over-represented

By bobb |
Bianca Sawyer says her son Sonny looking into the camera

the Specialist Reporting Team's Alison Branley and national disability affairs reporter Nas Campanella 

In short

A new report has shed light on the cost of school suspensions to families and the broader economy.

Children living with disability are over-represented in school suspension statistics.

Autism advice to the NDIA - FoI request denied

By convenor |
NDIS logo

If you are interested in knowing what advice the NDIA sought and received about autism from its selected and secret Autism Advisory Group (AAG) we're here to let you know ... the NDIA won't tell you.

The NDIA's Freedom of Information (FoI) process in this instance has been a total farce. The law says FoI requests should be processed in 30 days. But not in this case.

Specialist childcare classes for children with autism cut amid NDIS funding reform

By bobb |
boy and man playing with wooden toy train

Geraden Cann

In short:

A specialised Victorian day care that one parent credits with teaching his autistic sons how to play says it will end dedicated classes for children with autism next year due to changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The government agency that implements the NDIS said the scheme would continue to fund early childhood intervention and supports to help children participate in early education.

NDIS data show declining autism diagnoses in young Australians

By convenor |
NDIS logo

The proportion of young children (age 0 to 6 years) diagnosed with autism in the NDIS has declined significantly since the full roll-out of the NDIS. The number of autistic NDIS participants aged 0-6 years old in the NDIS decreased 27.4% in 18 months from 30/9/2022 to 31/3/2024.

The following chart shows the number of children in the NDIS with different types of "primary disability" according to data published by the NDIS on their website. 

Updated data ... Aug 2024

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