National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 2184
To Whom it May Concern
Re: NDIS Future Generations Bill 2026
I am a Mother and primary care giver to my 10 year old Daughter who is autismtic. We have been supported by the NDIS for several years and accessed mostly Occupational Therapy fortnightly which has been life changing for my Daughter and our family.Wehave also accessedspeech Pathologyand Psychology at times when this was required.Theindividualised,flexible, goal focused anda person centred natureofthesupporthasgivenustheabilityto workwiththerightprofessionalsat therighttimein there right place.Attending appointmentsis an extreme challengeformychildgivenerdislike different environmentsandechange.Sohavingthislevelofflexibilityhasebeen imperative.I strongly oppose changes of then DISBill Iamaphysiotharapist withyears experience in public health .I currently work asa Clinical Coordinatorina largepublichealthorganisationanda significant partofof job assessing function capacity abilitiesgoals clients inpatient settingdetermine their suitability admission program or discharge home. Ihavesignificant knowledge area health disability assessments hold grave concerns about NDIS proposed functionalcapacity test.I concerned not going be led professionalsnotgoing use clinical reasoning,knowledgeexperience thoseknowing assess fear they won’t listen professional surrounding disabledperson may know them years.Its not going evidence based,or individualized.My child high masking autistic female.Lackknowledge around femaleautisticpresentationbysignificantproportionpopulation provides issues her. it disappointing world so far behind awareness challenges autistic females face do believe NDIS will able accurately ‘assess’ my via new
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 2184
`functional capacity’ test. We would require an assessor to live within our house for 24 hours if they truly wanted to see the impact of her disability.
I have fought for years against systems who have continually told me my child was ‘fine’. Whilst my child slowly deteriorated, her anxiety grew; she could not attend school or participate in any extra-curricular sports activities other children took granted because these were taken-for-granted privileges: she couldn’t access public places family outings weren’t possible due to social isolation, leading us into crisis point All whilst world around us told us fine because looked like normal person She walked talked What problem?
When we finally seen heard beautiful paediatrician knew exactly what happened with child our world turned around Occupational therapy life-changing learnt challenges autistic people how overcome them skills cope reintegrate life Took time but slowly child started engaging kids This should luxury afforded small number disabled children want every autistic child provided same level support start lives chance whilst still many challenges long road ahead know there going be lifelong struggles cannot imagine position without that support cost government significant Family huge society immeasurable everyone suffer run.
Terrified prospect functional assessment sounds prioritizing those visible disabilities over hidden ones Moving backwards sad scary After progress autism females slide back shadows.
government knowledge about community particularly female appaling hour scrolling Facebook soon learn significant amount this population.
To be autistic Australia 2026 permanent and significant disability sense word World designed for autistic people Every aspect of difficult Autistic people have NDIS ongoing support grounds compassion humanitarianism simply think long-term cost providing population support Cost guaranteed tenfold. Significant money in lives. Please consult knowledgeable area understand politician not all issues impact Australians educated intelligent acknowledge gaps
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2184