Submission on the NDIS Amendment Bill

I am:

• Disabled person (☐)
• Family member/supporter (☐)
• Clinician – Speech Pathologist (√) Other: ___________

1. My connection to this issue

The author is a paediatric speech pathologist supporting children with various disabilities across different ages including those receiving early interventions. They have observed firsthand how frequent weekly therapy support allows children suffering from severe speech and language deficiencies to make substantial progress through consistent exposure to languages, specific teaching methods, explicit skill instruction, as well as regular parent education aimed at generalizing skills within diverse environments. Clients who initially spoke minimally if not non-at all were able to achieve significant gains in their communication abilities either verbally using augmentative alternative strategies allowing them participate fully community attend mainstream schooling reduce frustration meltdowns.

2. My overall view of this Bill

The government should withdraw this bill due deep concern about potential reduced therapy hours under Thriving Kids Program leading greater deficits decline meeting development milestones ability access school curriculum thereby increasing adult therapy load missed window opportunity for early intervention childhood developments.

3. My main concerns

Choose what applies you are:

• Communication accessibility √
• Administrative burden ☐
• Loss reduction supports √ Community participation √ Crisis situations / “not contactable” rules ☐ Children families/early intervention √ Eligibility assessment changes ☐ Other: ___________

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

Submission 2036

Communication and Accessibility:

My concern is that children with disabilities and complex communication needs who do not have access to frequent, evidence-based, and individualised therapies, will show significant decline in

• Achieving age-appropriate communication milestones – the rules of neuroplasticity state that if a child does not acquire age-appropriate language by 7 years of age, young adulthood. It is important children have access to these resources to: - Reduce social isolation
• Decrease the risk of abuse
• Enable autonomy
• Support emotional regulation
• Decrease the burden placed on families

Loss or Reduction of Supports My concern is that decreasing or eliminating supports will lead to;

Regression in development of age-appropriate milestones Greater strain on teachers and educators who do not have the resources in place to support these children with significant communication deficits Greater strain on families who are unable to provide equal opportunities for all children Reduced access to augmentative and alternative communication systems for non-speaking, immediately after an honorific where no name would normally be present. If you’re unsure about this text being genuine prose versus redaction, treat it as redacted rather than guessing at reconstruction.) The decrease in these supports can lead to; Social conflict Social isolation

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

Submission 2036

• Reduced sense of belonging, self-worth, and identity
• Increased frustration, challenging behaviours, and emotional dysregulation
• Reduced independence and autonomy
• Increase in opportunities for abuse — those who have communication deficits are unable to advocate for themselves appropriately and are more susceptible to abuse

Children / families / early intervention

My concern is for the children who do not receive early intervention supports: * Reduced ability to connect with others leading to social isolation and reduced community participation. Inability to express wants, needs, opinions causing frustration; increased meltdowns potentially violence; Increased stress on low socioeconomic families due lack resources supporting their disabled child; Emotional strain felt when family cannot provide specific needed assistance enabling progress towards better communication skills,

What this looks like in real life

Disruptions classroom, meltdowns skipping school avoiding activities – limited access curriculum understanding offering ideas; No employment less job prospects forcing reliance government funds such as Job Seeker or DSP which don’t offer sufficient income living; Higher crime rates resulting from feelings unbelonging smart enough lacking a sense worth identity thriving workplace; Self-harm including head-banging biting punching violent behaviors caused by regulation inability communicate needs desires; Lack independent reduces person’s ability live SIL independently; Severe mental health implications reduced opportunity participate e.g., non-speaking child without AAC making friends joining sports group activities experiencing increasing loneliness to understand Every individual has right accessing necessary support services. Disabled individuals adults burden they have choice; Reduced funding early interventions will lead greater demand therapy adulthood; Denying access therapies young age significant deficits requiring intensive support improve likely never appropriate

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

Submission 2036

Section: My Position On This Bill

I want the government to withdraw this Bill. Reducing access to supports for disabled children and adults will result in detrimental consequences.It will lead to;

• Increased demand from government funding in future
• Decreased ability to be a productive and functioning member of the community
• Reduced study and career opportunities
• Lifelong deficits in speech, language, and communication skills if not addressed appropriately at a young age