National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1740
To whom this may concern,
I am an early career paediatric speech pathologist working in private practice in Sydney metro, with approximately one year of experience. My caseload is mixed and NDIS-heavy, including autistic children, children with ADHD, developmental delay, speech sound disorders, and a broad age range from toddlers through to late adolescence.
I support the intent of NDIS reforms to improve sustainability and ensure funding is used effectively. In practice, I also see how essential timely, consistent allied health support is for children’s communication development, participation, and family wellbeing.
A key concern is the impact of reduced or delayed access to early intervention and ongoing supports. Many children make steady progress through consistent, relationship-based therapy that relies on repetition and generalisation across home, school, and community settings. When therapy is paused due to funding constraints, progress is often slowed or lost, particularly for children who require ongoing support to maintain functional communication skills.
I have also observed that snapshot-style reassessments do not always reflect the fluctuating nature of disability. Many children present differently depending on sensory load, fatigue, anxiety, environment, or masking. As a result, functional difficulties across a full day or across settings may not be fully captured in brief assessments.
In some cases, families have experienced reductions or loss of funding despite ongoing functional communication needs. This often leads to interrupted therapy, which can contribute to regression, increased behavioural distress, and reduced participation at school and in the community. The emotional burden on families repeatedly needing to demonstrate ongoing disability is also significant.
There is also a broader system consideration. When early intervention and maintenance supports are limited, needs can escalate over time, increasing demand on schools, health services, and mental health systems, while also impacting parents’ ability to participate in the workforce.
It is also important to note that, according to Speech Pathology Australia, around 60 percent of speech pathologists work in private practice. Changes that destabilise private allied health delivery may therefore directly affect workforce capacity, waitlists, and equitable access to care.
Overall, I support reforms that strengthen sustainability, but encourage a balanced approach that protects early intervention, recognises fluctuating disability, and ensures children with ongoing functional needs continue to receive timely, meaningful support.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1740
Kind
Sydney Clinic: 2/33 Alexandra Street, Hunters Hill, NSW 2110
Regards,
Charlotte Murdoch- Evans (she/her)
Speech Therapist
Office Phone: 0483 947 062
Office Email: sydney@leapfrogtherapy.com.au
Website: www.leapfrogtherapy.com.au