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).

Please conduct the ABS Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (in 2025)

By convenor |

Dear Minister Leigh

At the meeting for Disability Representative Organisations (DROs) at Parliament House on 4/9/2025 we were very disappointed to hear from officials that, without any reference to DROs, they decided to defer until 2027 the Australian Bureau of Statistic's (ABS) next data collection for its periodic Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC). An official claimed that the survey is conducted on a five years cycle. This claim is false; mostly, this survey is done on a three year cycle ... and it has not had a five year interval since before 1998 (if ever).

Saturday Paper Exclusive: NDIA accused of ‘repeated non-compliance’ as it prepares for autism reforms

By bobb |

By Rick Morton.

While advocates say they have been ambushed by Labor’s plans to eject autistic children from the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the agency has been accused of ignoring multiple legal orders. 

At the same time Labor began plans to divert tens of thousands of children from the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the agency responsible for the program has been accused of serially breaching its legal obligations.

response on NDIS legislation missing autistic impairments

By convenor |

A4 received a response (see below) from the NDIS to letters sent previously to multiple ministers - see https://a4.org.au/node/2730 

While the response suggests that the triad of autistic impairments, social, communication, and behavioural impairments, might be beaten into shape under the categories available in the legislation, it shows disappointingly poor understanding of autistic impairments and the needs of autistic Australians. It says ... 

ART response - NDIS Division operations

By convenor |

Dear Mr Verco

your response (below) simply does not address the issue that I raised.

Bob Buckley
Volunteer Autism Advocate

Bob recognises and respects the traditional owners, elders past, present and emerging, of Ngunnawal and Ngambri country, the lands on which he lives and works. Sovereignty was never ceded.

On 19/06/2025 5:04 pm, Principal Registrar wrote:

Dear Mr Buckley

Taking to global stage to champion autistic women and girls

By convenor |
Moniue speaking in room of people

Central Coast-based advocate Monique Blakemore has addressed the United Nations Conference of States Parties in New York to demand justice for autistic women and girls.

“These are not just numbers; these are lives — silenced, dismissed, and denied justice,” she told the conference.

A policy advisor and international disability rights advocate, Blakemore spoke at a high-level side event titled Numbers Don’t Lie: Disability, Autism, Sexual Abuse and Bodily Integrity, hosted by the governments of Spain and Malta.

New research finds 1 in 28 Australian children may have FASD

By bobb |
27 grey human figures ... and one orange figure

Isabella Southwell

A new national study suggests that one child in every classroom may be living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, with major implications for early childhood educators and support services.

Up to one in 28 Australians may be living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), according to new modelling led by the University of Sydney. The study, published in Drug and Alcohol Review, is the first to estimate FASD prevalence in the general population using national data.

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