National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Submission 1745

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing as a Grade 2 Occupational Therapist working in private paediatrics in metropolitan Australia. Over the past three and a half years, I have supported neurodivergent children and young people, including autistic children, ADHD children, children accessing early intervention supports, and children with developmental delays.

I recognise the importance of ensuring the long-term sustainability of the NDIS and support thoughtful reform. However, I have significant concerns regarding the potential impact of reducing or delaying access to early intervention and allied health supports for children and young people with disability and developmental differences.

In paediatric practice, disability and functional capacity are rarely static. Many children experience fluctuating challenges that may not be fully captured through brief or highly standardised reassessments. Neurodivergent children in particular may mask difficulties in unfamiliar environments, while continuing to experience significant sensory overload, emotional exhaustion, executive functioning difficulties, and reduced participation across daily life.

There is concern that children with moderate but meaningful support needs may increasingly fall through service gaps if thresholds become more restrictive. These children may not always present in visible crisis; however without timely support their functioning, mental health, school engagement, and long-term independence can deteriorate significantly over time.

As clinicians, we regularly see the benefits of early and preventative intervention. Supports that strengthen emotional regulation, communication, sensory processing, daily living skills, and participation can reduce the need for more intensive supports later. In contrast, delayed intervention often results in escalating distress for children and families, increased school difficulties, and greater reliance on health, education, social systems over time.

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Submission 1745

There is also concern that funding systems may unintentionally reward crisis rather than prevention. Families should not have to wait until a child reaches significant burnout, disengagement, or mental health decline before support is considered necessary. The repeated need for families to continually “prove” disability through reassessments can also place considerable emotional and financial strain on parents and carers. Many families are already navigating complex advocacy demands across healthcare, school, and community systems while managing their child’s support needs.

The broader economic impacts should also be carefully considered. Insufficient early support may contribute to:

• reduced workforce participation for both children and parents over time;
• increased reliance on welfare and mental health systems; greater pressure on schools and public services; an increased long-term societal costs. From a workforce perspective many experienced paediatric clinicians now work within private practice settings.Sigificant instability withiintheprivate allied heath sector risks worsening workforce shortages increasingwaitlists reducing access toc careforchildrenfamilies.Finallycontinuity ofcare trusted therapeutic relationshipsare essential inpaediatricpractice Neuroaffirming relationship-based flexible supports often enable chilren participate meaningfully therapyschool family life thecommunity.Isupport balanced reformprotects sustainability NDISwhile alsorecognisinglong term valueofearly intervention preventativesupports functionalparticipation basedcaresupports early not only beneficial forchidren familes butalso economically responsibleinthelongterm.

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Submission 1745 Kind Regards, Emily Engelbrecht (she/her) Occupational Therapist