NDIA Accountability Project

Supports for children with Autism spectrum diagnosis

Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012

From: To: Community Affairs, Committee (SEN); Subject: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012 Date: Tuesday, 22 January 2013 5:20:49 PM

Please consider this email a formal submission by me to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012.

The current disability system has many problems that need to be addressed.

I have 3 children on the Autism spectrum. The supports that my children receive are sporadic at best. The FASCHIA FUNDING, which is helpful, stopped when my children reached 7. Unfortunately their extra needs do not and this places a great burden on our finances. We also are limited with what therapies we can use and what therapists that can do these therapies. If the therapist is not an approved FASCHIA therapist then families who are cash poor need to exclude them as an option. Even if this therapist is more qualified. In SA the supports provided by the education system are minuscule, my fear is that these children will not be taught the skills to gain employment in the future and they will become dependent on the welfare system. If we invest in these children now, a majority of them will become productive tax paying members of society.

The main features of the NDIS that will make a difference to the community are:

  • More employment of people with disability and less reliance on social welfare,
  • The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person,
  • Removal of age barriers to services for children

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

  • Therapy and allied health services, Life-skills, Positive behaviour support and psychological services

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

Hopefully it will be an individualised, holistic approach for people with disabilities to manage themselves. There will be a reduction in “red tape”. And services will not be so fragmented.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Ms Rebbecca Mercier