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).

Parents of autistic teen warn NDIS failures risk further tragedies

By bobb |
father kissing daughter's forehead - mother watching

Ros Thomas

The parents of a profoundly ­autistic child have warned that “more families will blow up” if the NDIS does not better support parents of children with high needs.

Laura Clarke, 52, and Simon Lewis, 49, whose youngest daughter Maddie, 16, has severe autism, told The Australian Weekend Magazine they had not seen an NDIS case worker in five years, “not since the day she entered the system”.

the creep is the author

By convenor |
portrait of Ministers Butler and McAllister

Dear NDIS Ministers Butler and McAllister

no doubt you are aware of the AFR editorial today, A truly sustainable NDIS must stop autism creep (see https://archive.md/4GcDX). Your government needs to push back on this misinformation immediately if it hopes to preserve any credibility in relation to autism policy.  

The creep here is the uninformed author of this article.

Concerns Mount Over Autistic Children's future under Thriving Kids

By convenor |

Media Release

Families of autistic children say they are being left in the dark about how the government will determine which children are classified as having “mild to moderate autism” under the Thriving Kids program. 

Recently, government reported on its Thriving Kids program for children with “mild to moderate autism”: it released reports from

Gold Coast single mother of autistic twins facing homelessness

By bobb |
mother in floral dress facing camera

Danielle Mahe

Tammy Majeed has applied for more than 30 rental properties over the past few months without any luck.

The single mother of twin boys, who have both been diagnosed with autism, says the family could become homeless if they do not find housing before their lease ends in March.

The 33-year-old said she had been desperately applying for help, but housing and support services have told her they can't do anything until they no longer have a roof over their head.

Mother of autistic man starved to death in Gold Coast hospital 'satisfied' with damning investigation

By bobb |
Daniel smiling

Danielle Mahe

In short:

An investigation into Stewart Kelly's death at Robina Hospital in 2022 has found staff lacked training in managing the complex needs of his neurodevelopmental condition.

Mr Kelly's mother, Ann Jeffery, says she hopes her son's "tragic death" from starvation and dehydration will serve as a catalyst for change.

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