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 5:38:53 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.

My son was diagnosed with Autism just before he turned 6. Thankfully he was eligible for funding through “ helping children with autism“ .

However because of his age he missed out on vital early intervention.

He will be turning 7 in April and will have to access healthcare plans for further therapy.

As a single parent on a carers allowance the costs of future therapy is a huge concern!

Early intervention should be accessible depending in when a child is diagnosed rather than their age .

Educators should have better knowledge of what to do if they have concerns regarding their students. My son attended a private kinder with no knowledge of early intervention programs and support for special needs children- which lead to my son late diagnosis when he started school.

There needs to be more variety and funding for therapies available to children after the “ helping children with autism “ funding stops. There is only so much my son and I can do in the 13 months that funding is available.

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

-Better access to mainstream support and services, The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person, Increased ability to coordinate services to suit the “whole” person/family, Removal of age barriers to services for children

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

-Therapy and allied health services, Education support (technology/services/equipment), Positive behaviour support and psychological services

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

Improved access to vital therapies via better funding and variety .

Reduce concerns for the future.

Extend eligible age for funding for therapies and services.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Ms Diana Lay