Reading the Paper: Interventions for children on the autism spectrum which looks like it

released today 30/03/2021 - https://www.ndis.gov.au/community/have-your-say/interventions-children-autism-spectrum

This solidifies the fact that NDIA and LNP are trying to force children with Autism off the scheme. It indicates that some children won’t need to access the scheme at all or only need intermittent support.

Page 27 spells out the cost cutting in block funding and given these are based on results of Independent Assessments that will not be reviewable and NOT taking into consideration of medical reports, we are going to be left with little to no support.

“Once a plan is finalised and budget allocated, children, families and carers are able to negotiate with their provider on the frequency and pattern of supports within their available funding.” Page 32

The IAs eliminate Choice and Control and Block Funding then limits what little choice you have. There is zero control for the participant. The Government are controlling all participants now.

They have a small section on “conflict of interest” (Page 33 – 8.3 Addressing conflicts of interest) which suggests that Allied Health Professionals tend to favour their business needs over the service they provide in their recommendations.

“We recognise the importance of trusted relationships but also that this can create the potential for conflict of interests (real or perceived) where a provider could make recommendations in the interest of their business rather than in the best interests of their child.”

While there may be some opportunists out there, we are unlikely to stay with any ‘provider’ for supports if their interests are not in line with what is best for our children or family needs. In my experience, all therapy has been a joint decision with therapists. We increase sessions as needed and we also decrease sessions as needed. However, it is always a decision we make together. Also, while there may be some parents out there that do rely on provider input, that does not mean that we don’t understand when we are being deceived.

The whole Independent Assessment process and now this Intervention for Children with Autism process is a huge deception to some of the most vulnerable in our community.

7.4 Our proposed funding framework for early intervention for children on the autism spectrum on page 22 their ‘holistic’ approach indicates:

“A holistic plan will map out goals and aspirations, and detail NDIS funded elements, funded elements and non-funded elements including parental responsibility, school and early childhood services”.

I suffered carer burn out in 2019 which led to having to resign from my job in early 2020 just

before Covid hit NSW. Parent’s already shoulder a lot of the responsibility and care with Autistic children. The interventions (therapy) that they get serve various purposes, but the main two are:

• The Participant is supported correctly – Without their (Provider) knowledge and guidance, were stuck on how to help and manage and cope.
• The family learns to cope and manage – Together as a family unit, you feel supported to manage and cope.

The education system is for educational purposes. Its why NDIS does not fund anything that is related to Education. However, now they are spruiking that the Educational system is another avenue for support, which it is not.

The schools may be funded, but it’s to help support the classroom needs, not one on one help with your child to help them cope and manage.

I home school my ASD children for this reason. The help they need cannot be provided by the schools or the education system.

ASD is a spectrum for a reason. Where an individual sits on that spectrum varies and block funding will not help children or families to cope. We fight NDIS now because they are NOT funding people correctly. If they got it right the first time, we’d not be here discussing this. But they have wanted to cut costs from day one. NDIS took over older systems because they were not working – now they want to send us back to the schemes that have shut down because we have NDIS.

They cannot have it both ways. Either you want to help support families and children with Autism or you do not. While the report says that there is no evidence that interventions work, is you speak to enough families, we cannot live without the support and we cannot manage without the support. We’re not managing and coping now, and these new proposed changes are only going to make it harder and it’s our children that suffer for it. Each therapy has its purposes, there isn’t one that more appropriate over the other, but this new block funding will mean we will have to choose. When your child has deficits in all areas, how do you decide what’s more important? Isn’t their whole existent important? Or are autistic people just not worth the Governments time? Where are the rights for them?