Show news for a region of your choice (mostly Austraian news).

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).

'I just felt a bit different': Evie's symptoms went under the radar until late diagnosis

By convenor |

Dana Daniel

Evie Gallagher, 17, says primary school was tough as a girl with undiagnosed autism.

"I just felt a bit different to everyone else, because people were learning at different paces," she said.

After the Albanese government launched the first National Autism Strategy last week, Evie and her mum - ACT Labor senator and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher - decided to share their story, so other families might have a different journey.

Top scholar says evidence for special education inclusion is ‘fundamentally flawed’

By bobb |

Analysis of 50 years of research argues that there isn’t strong evidence for the academic advantages of placing children with disabilities in general education classrooms

by Jill Barshay January 13, 2025

A trio of researchers argues that it's unclear where students with disabilities learn the most and recommends that teachers and parents focus first on interventions students need. 

Children targeted in NDIS crackdown

By bobb |

Rick Morton

Despite claims the government’s reform of the National Disability Insurance Scheme is focused on fraud, a third of the savings will come from pushing children off the scheme. 

A concerted effort to remove children from the National Disability Insurance Scheme will reduce spending by $500 million in the next year, accounting for a third of all scheme savings booked to the federal budget bottom line over the same period.

2025 Australian of the Year for Queensland - Geoffrey Smith (Yeronga)

By bobb |

The 2025 Australian of the Year Awards recipients for Queensland have been announced at a ceremony in Brisbane this evening. 

The Queensland recipients will join those from the other states and territories for the national awards to be announced on 25 January 2025. 

The 2025 Australian of the Year for Queensland is Geoffrey Smith, co-founder, Australian Spatial Analytics. 

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

By convenor |

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.