National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2265
My name is redacted, and I am the mother of a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 3 and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
I am writing this submission because I am deeply concerned about the impact these proposed changes will have on people living with disability, their families, carers, and future participants who rely on support to live meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Like many parents, I understand disability through my child. Before becoming a mother of a child with significant support needs, I did not fully appreciate how much happens behind the scenes. Every therapy session, report, appointment, assessment, support worker, and piece of advocacy represents countless hours of effort from families who are simply trying to give their children the best possible chance in life.
When people discuss the NDIS, they often talk about budgets, sustainability, expenditure, and reform. As a parent, I see something different. I see children. I see exhausted families. I see parents like myself fighting every day for services that help our children communicate, participate, learn, regulate, and engage with the world around them.
My son’s disability does not disappear because funding changes. His support needs do not disappear because legislation changes. The challenges he experiences do not disappear because the system becomes more difficult to access.
What support does provide is opportunity.
My son has Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 3 and ADHD. Like many children with complex support needs, he experiences challenges that affect multiple areas of daily life. The supports available to him are not optional extras. They are essential tools that help him communicate, regulate, participate in everyday activities, develop skills, and work towards greater independence!
My son often engages best in familiar environments where he feels safe and understood. Through our journey, I have learned how important it is for supports to be tailored to the individual needs of each child. Consistency, familiarity, and appropriate therapeutic support can make a significant difference to a child’s ability to participate and progress.
Speech therapy has been one of the most important supports for my son. It has helped reduce frustration, improve communication, and enhance his safety.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2265
For a child who struggles to communicate their needs, feelings, fears, or discomfort, the consequences can extend far beyond speech itself. When communication improves, frustration decreases; when frustration decreases, behavioural challenges reduce; when behavioural challenges decrease,safetyimproves,nottonlyforthechild,butforthosecaringforthem. I have witnessed firsthand how thesesupportscaninterruptanegativecyclebeforeitescalates. Without appropriatesupportcommunicationdifficultiescanleadtoincreasedfrustration.Increasedfrustrationcanleadtobehaviouralchallenges.Behaviouralchallengescancreatesafetycareconcernsandplaceenormouspressureonfamilies.Parentsaretthenlefttryingtomana…
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2265
They are the difference between a child receiving therapy or going without it. They are the difference between participation and isolation. They are the difference between progress and regression. They are often the difference between a family coping and a family reaching breaking point.
If access to support becomes more difficult, delayed, reduced, or uncertain, the impact will extend far beyond individual participants.Itwillaffectpeoplelivingwithdisability,parents,siblings,carers,teachers,therapists,workplaces,andentirecommunities. Familiesmayexperienceincreasedstress,financialhardship,reducedworkforceparticipation/socialisolationandsignificantimpactsontheirmentalhealthandwellbeing.Carerslikemyselfwhoarealreadystretchedwilbepushdfurthertowardsburnout.Childrenandaladswithdisabilitymayloseaccesstosupportsthathelpthemparticipateineverydaylife,builddependence,maintainrelationshipsandanachievetheirgoals.Toooften,discibilityviewsthroughthelensofcost.Ibelieveitshouldalsobeviewedthroughthelensehumanpotential.Investmentindisabilysupportisaninvestmentinneople.ItisaninvestmentsinchildrenwhodeserveeveryopportunitytorachtheirstentialityItisaninvestmentinfamiliessheworktielybehindthescenesisaninvestmentininclusiondignityparticipationandcommunity.Iunderstandimportanceofoensurendisremainsustainableforfuturegenerations.However,sustainabilityshoulenevercomeatexpensepeopleschemecreatedtosuppor. I ask the Committee to carefully consider thereal human impact these changes will have on people living with disability their families carers therapists educators and support networks For many Australiansthese decisionswillaffectfarmorethanfunding.Theywillaffectquality of life, access essential supports family stability mental health participation in education employment personal safety future opportunities Behind every funding package is a person.Behind everysupportisafamilyBehind everylecision isa child whose futuremaybeaffectedby outcome.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2265
Children with disability do not get a second childhood.
Lost opportunities during critical developmental years cannot always be recovered later. Delayed access to support, reduced access to therapy, or increased barriers to services may have consequences that extend far beyond the period in which those decisions are made. Please listen to the voices of people living with disability, their families, carers, therapists, educators, and support workers. Their lived experience is not a statistic. It is the reality of life for millionsofAustralians. Irespectfullyaskthatanyreformsprioritisethewellbeing,dignity,inclusion,safety,andfuturepotentialofpeoplewithdisability.Theydeservetobeheard,valuedandsupported.