National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1995
To the Senate Committee,
I Am Writing as a Parent of Neurodivergent Children Including Those Diagnosed with Autism and ADHD To Express My Deep Concern Regarding Proposed Changes Cuts to The Ndis.
For Families Like Mine The NDis Is Not A Luxury It Is Not Extra It Is Difference Between Participation And Isolation Regulation Crisis Safety Burnout. Their Disabilities Are Lifelong Pervasive Even When They Are Not Immediately Visible Others Autism Affects Every Aspect Daily Function Emotional Regulation Communication Sensory Processing Social Participation Education Anxiety Ability Navigate World Designed For Neurodiverse People Adhd Developmental Challenges Further Compound This. The Ndis Currently Provides Critical Supports That Allow My Children Participate Community Engage Learning Develop Independence Access Therapies Improve Quality Life Long Term Outcomes These Supports Also Sustain Our Family Unit Reduce Crisis Escalation Without These Supports Burden Does Disappear Simply Shifts Onto Families Already Operating Beyond Capacity One Most Difficult Aspects Of Parenting Autistic Children Work Constant Often Invisible Families Become Therapists Advocates Case Managers Behaviour Supports Educators Emotionally Regulated Responders All While Trying Maintain Employment Financial Stability Mental Health Care Other Children In Family. The proposed changes feel deeply disconnected from reality disability caregiving particularly concerned about proposal definition permanence autism lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder supports can improve coping skills communication emotional regulation independence itself not something treated away Expecting autistic people exhaust every possible treatment before being considered eligible for support fundamentally misunderstand nature of disability suggestion that treatments may be available financially inaccessible or unavailable locally especially concerning families regional areas already under financial strain Many therapies involve long waitlists significant out-of-pocket costs travel burdens workforce shortages.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1995
Families should not have to prove they are exhausted, financially ruined, or in crisis before receiving support.
Capacity building supports are among the most important supports my children receive. These supports are preventative. They reduce future dependency and improve long-term outcomes. They help children learn emotional regulation, communication skills, independence, and social participation.
If capacity building supports are reduced or removed, the likely outcome is not a reduction but an increased crisis without appropriate supports:
- school refusal increases,
- mental health deteriorates,
- family breakdown becomes more likely,
- carers experience burnout,
- children become more isolated, -and families ultimately require higher-cost interventions later.* Reducing supports now does not eliminate costs; it simply delays them into other systems such as those related to health, education, child protection services,and emergencyservices. Social community access also essential autistic children at significantly higher risk isolation bullying anxiety depression exclusion Community pathway connection My children deserve opportunity participate society safely meaningfully just like any other child I want highlight emotion toll parents carers Families disabled already enormous amounts time fighting attending appointments advocating schools coordinating managing meltdowns responding anxiety navigating inaccessible environments uncertainty fear surrounding these proposed changes has caused significant distress within disability community Many of us constantly having justify our existence needs worthiness supporting
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 1995
These proposed changes risk creating an even more adversarial system where families must repeatedly prove disability, justify supports, and fight for basic assistance despite lifelong diagnoses.
I ask the Senate Committee to genuinely listen to disabled people, parents, carers, therapists, educators, and the broader disability community before proceeding with changes that may have devastating long-term consequences.
The NDIS should be strengthened, made more accessible, and improved where needed, not narrowed in ways that place vulnerable children and families at greater risk.
Disabled children deserve support before crisis, not after it.
Thank you for considering my submission.