NDIS early intervention supports are not evidence-based for autistic children

By bobb |

Recently, the Australian Parliament made substantial changes to how the NDIS works. One of the changes, section 10 of the revised NDIS Act, required that the NDIS develop lists of:

  • NDIS supports, and
  • not NDIS supports.

The NDIS created these lists: they are available from the NDIS webpage

NDIS providers struggling to remain viable amid funding issues as people with disability lose access to support and employment

By convenor |
Peter Thorn and his father John standing side-by-side and smiling. Peter looks like he's ready to go swimming. John's top says "Special Olympics Australia, Greater Canberra".

For the past seven years, Peter Thorn has thrived under his National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan.

As someone who is non-verbal with autism, the support he receives allows him to live alone, volunteer regularly, go to the gym and be part of a Special Olympic swimming squad.

He has also been receiving overnight support — a time where he is most vulnerable.

But 10 months ago, he was told there was an "error" in his plan, turning his seven days of overnight support per week into seven days a year, without explanation.

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 32% in the 2 years from 30/9/2022 to 30/9/2024.

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 ... Dec 2024

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.

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