Submission May 2026

Submission: Senate Inquiry into National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing NDLS Future Generations) Bill 2026 - Submission No.: 1789

As parent autistic child who an participant would like make brief submission regarding abovementioned amendment bill.

Relation Explanatory Memorandum Schedule Paragraph Funding Only Recognised Disabilities

It well documented that autistic will often have co-morbid diagnoses covered by NDIS. Own autistic child other diagnosis ADHD however neurodiverse mental health diagnoses uncommon others autism person struggling school trying sort out which part their difficulties with school caused autism another diagnosis covered NDIS time-consuming pointless Autistic child struggling needs appropriately supportive educational environment endless hoops jump through prove struggles result autism.

Financial Sustainability NDIS

Understand need ensure costs providing disability supports manageable However hope parliament also give due consideration to costs timely appropriate supports autistic children Personal cost individual receiving those supports potential community if children are supported achieve at school gain meaningful employment For son most his funding directed goals designed support full participation in school Would hope evident suggests help children achieve not optional.

NDIS is possible least efficient system for these supports needed large number of children If case imperative government provides parents carers plan how neurodivergent children going be supported away from the NDIS My suggestions on what might included such a plan:

• More allied experts employed education departments work within schools It seems Education Department services overwhelmed attempts direct people way back Education Department services likely unsuccessful until this addressed Own son request teacher Queensland Occupational Therapy term 4 still had been address end Term following year In

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

Submission 1789

In response, we organised a private Occupational Therapist and used a combination of NDIS and private funding to pay for this additional support. The support could have been more efficiently provided at school if the staff were available.

• Support for quality, evidence-based social and emotional wellbeing programs in schools. At one stage, we were using NDIS funding for a psychologist to go through the Westmead Feelings Program one-to-one with my son. There were probably other children at his school who would have also benefited from the Westmead Feelings Program, but weren’t offered it because the resources were directed to one child.
• Curriculum overhaul to allow time and space to address social and emotional wellbeing. Just looking at my child’s homework suggests that the school curriculum is complicated mess. If we are going to allow space for children to develop vital social well-being at school, we need to accept that 11-year-olds need friendships and emotional regulation more than they need essay writing skills.
• Smaller class sizes and more teacher’s aides. My son’s key teacher at his current school is an amazing professional who has skills and enthusiasm for inclusive education. This teacher also responds to parent emails on Saturday afternoon. It is clear that people within the education system who care most deeply about inclusion have workloads that are not sustainable and are at risk of being lost to teaching profession. If we want teachers to provide quality differentiated support for student needs, we must support them to do this.

Incentives and support for teachers to train in inclusive education. Make government funding for private schools conditional on providing quality inclusive teaching practices.

Conclusion: Supporting children to achieve success at school and lead happier lives is optional if NDIS becomes a bloated overcomplicated mess trying to achieve its goal; thus up to Government announce plan appropriate supports efficiently provided by it itself. Thank you your attention submission.