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).

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

2024 - Making an effective National Autism Strategy; sector expectations and requirements

By convenor |
report from cover - Making an effective National Autism Strategy; sector expectations and requirements

Bob Buckley provided the submission below to the Oversight Committee of the National Autism Strategy (NAS) and the relevant Ministers. 

It was written quickly ... with less consultation than is ideal. While it's his submission, a summary of the issues raised was shared with A4's Management Group who provided input towards the submission.

A4 provided detailed commenatry on parts of the Health working group's draft Health Roadmap for Autism. 

Carers are increasingly socially isolated and highly distressed, national survey reveals

By bobb |
female carer looking worried or stressed

In short:

First results from the 2024 National Carer Survey showed about 60 per cent of respondents reported being socially isolated, and around half suffered from high or very high levels of psychological distress.

These figures were similar to or slightly higher than those found in the 2022 National Carer Survey.

What's next?

With the number of carers in Australia growing, experts argue that more sustainable investment is needed in formal support.

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