NDIA Accountability Project

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Autistic woman describes burnout experience after NDIS funding stripped (Participant experience)

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

Submission: Submission No.

Submission to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee - National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment ((Securing the NDIS for Future Generations))

Bill 2026 Submitted By An autistic adult; primary school teacher parent instructor community inclusion practitioner

Who Am I?

I am an autistic woman who works as a primary school teacher with two children diagnosed Autistic Level II ADHD aged forty years old after lifetime not knowing why things were so hard. Currently experiencing burnout clinically document collapse ability function deeply worried this bill will make matters worse thousands Australians like me want honest committee work parenting contribute community managed enormous cost health relationships sense self now caught up deep autistic burnout describes what happened tried get help.

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

Submission 1976

I want to walk the Committee through what actually happened when I tried to access support, because I think it matters for understanding what this Bill could mean in practice. I was initially approved for NDIS with a modest plan. At my first plan review, most of that funding was stripped away. I appealed. For that appeal, I gathered additional clinical documentation at significant cost to me in money, time, energy, and stress. These aren’t resources I have in abundance. I submitted that evidence to the NDIA. The delegate did not review it. I know this because the rejection letter listed the documents they used to make their decision. The documentation provided wasn’t included; instead, an offer made without reviewing new information. The system is easier than seeking justice due to burnout from two autistic children’s care needs; it accepted NDIA’s inadequate settlement before formal hearing preparation began on day five prior. This Bill threatens to take back newly-approved funds which haven’t yet been utilized by me or family members.

Problem With “You’ve Always Managed”

Throughout all processes involving the NDIA’s central reasoning has been that one can live independently as long had done so throughout life. Masking autism completely over years led even myself unaware until now. This masking (the constant effort required) caused current burnouts experienced today - decades-long unsupported disability being cited as proof no support needed! Bill proposes increasing reliance functional capacity assessments giving more power reduce/removes supports through these evaluations for those who mask well work clearly communicate effectively making dangerous assumptions about what we look like rather costs us doing so.

Same Evidence Two Different Outcomes

My partner shares same diagnosis Autism Level 2 and ADHD assessed similarly clinician comparable evidence denied NDIS access entirely received provisional approval difference only clinical psychologist assessment household approved general psychologists after many across family financially unfeasible pay additional assessment ensuring consideration scheme. All four in our home have disabilities recognized conditions under NDIS three receive some support while one receives none. The decisions assume my partner provides informal support rest of us despite himself also burnt out with no help own children’s disabilities providing parents’ care assumed unethical low accountability inconsistent decision-making ground this Bill would give increased powers to make such decisions faster less scrutiny Committee should be concerned.

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

Submission 1976

What I’m Asking the Committee to Do

The committee should include these protections:

  • Keep individualised supports accessible.
  • Require assessors’ consideration during evaluations: masking, fluctuating capacity & burnout; not just a good day’s presentation;
  • Add safeguards before reducing or removing support plans so individuals aren’t destabilized suddenly,
  • Ensure review when new evidence from participants leads decision-makers internally appeal if ignored rules allow,
  • Limit Minister’s ability change eligibility without parliamentary oversight community consultation,
  • Improve assessment consistency with treating clinicians’ weightage more significant,
  • Recognize employment doesn’t mean low needs,
  • Stop assuming unlimited informal family support between disabled members each other,
  • Protect community participation as preventative health investments they are.

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

Submission 1976

  • Occupational Therapy Functional Assessment Report (WHOOQLBREF, DASS–42, Sensory Profile 2, CIQR)
  • Formal Review Support Letterfromtreating OccupatiionalTherapist
  • **PsychologyProgressReport****fromtreati ngPsycholog ist *
  • PersonalImpactStatement***
  • **NDISplanexcerptandwrittenjustificationfordeclinedsupports,**includingdocumentlistfromrejectionletter edacted