Submission 1537

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing this submission to provide information regarding the ongoing support needs of my children, and and to request that their NDIS plans accurately reflect the significant impact their disabilities have on their daily lives.

is 13 years old and has diagnoses of Level 2 Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and Dyslexia.

currently receives support through Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Behavioural Therapy, and Support Workers. While these supports have been beneficial, is continuing to experience significant challenges that affect her ability to function independently at home, school, and in the community.

The most significant area of concern for is emotional regulation. She struggles to manage her emotions, cope with unexpected changes, and regulate her responses to stressful situations. These difficulties can impact her relationships, participation in school activities, and ability to engage safely and appropriately within the community.

also requires ongoing support with personal care and hygiene. She needs prompting, supervision, and assistance to complete age-appropriate self-care tasks and maintain her personal hygiene. Without support, these tasks are often difficult for her to manage independently.

At school, requires additional support to remain engaged in learning and to navigate social situations. Her Autism, ADHD, and Dyslexia impact her academic progress, communication, emotional wellbeing, and ability to participate independently.

Within the community, requires support to safely engage in activities, build social connections, and develop the life skills necessary for greater independence.

is 5 years old and has diagnoses of Level 2 Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Global Developmental Delay, and Chronic Constipation.

currently receives Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Support Worker assistance, and Continence Supplies.

has high support needs across all areas of daily living. He experiences significant challenges with communication, sensory processing, emotional regulation, sleep, toileting, and independence.

Submission 1537

is currently not toilet trained and requires ongoing support with continence management. His chronic constipation further impacts his toileting needs and requires ongoing monitoring and management.

Sleep is a major concern for and the family. is unable to sleep independently and requires me to be present and sleeping beside him throughout the night. This significantly impacts family functioning and caregiver wellbeing.

also experiences substantial sensory challenges that affect his ability to participate in everyday activities. He becomes overwhelmed by sensory input and requires considerable support to regulate his emotions and behaviour. He is unable to consistently self-regulate and requires ongoing supervision and intervention throughout the day.

At home, school, and within the community, requires extensive support to engage in activities, follow routines, communicate his needs, and remain safe. Due to his disabilities and significant emotional and sensory regulation difficulties, is only able to attend school until 12:30 pm each day. He is physically and emotionally unable to cope with a full school day, and extended attendance results in increased distress, dysregulation, and exhaustion.

Safety Concerns

Safety is a significant concern for both and .

Due to their disabilities, both children require a high level of supervision and support. Difficulties with emotional regulation, communication, understanding risks, and self-management can place them in unsafe situations if appropriate supports are not available.

The level of care required for both children is substantial and extends beyond what would typically be expected for children of their ages. As their parent and primary carer, I provide ongoing supervision, emotional support, behaviour management, assistance with daily living activities, transport to appointments, and coordination of multiple therapies and services.

Requested Supports

To ensure and can continue to build skills, increase independence, and safely participate in daily life, I am requesting:

• Increased Support Worker funding for both children to assist with community access, social participation, emotional regulation, and daily living activities.
• Continued funding for Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Behavioural Therapy, Psychology, and other allied health supports.

• A review of current Psychiatry funding, with consideration forBehaviour

      Support services that may better meet his current needs and assist with emotional
        regulation, behaviour management, and functional skill development.
  

  • Continued funding for Continence Supports and Supplies for .

  • Ongoing Capacity Building supports to improve communication, emotional regulation, independence, personal care skills, social participation, and community engagement.

Both and have complex and ongoing support needs that significantly impact their ability to function independently. Appropriate NDIS funding is essential to ensure they can continue to develop skills, participate in their community, maintain their safety, and achieve their goals.

Thank you for considering this submission.