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

Submission 3644

Seedling Occupational Therapy

Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee

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

Submitted by: Sarah Doyle Founder and Occupational Therapist Seedling OT Sydney, NSW

31/5/2026

I am a paediatric occupational therapist and founder of Seedling OT, a small private practice supporting children and families across Sydney and through telehealth services in regional and remote communities.

I have been providing Paediatric OT services for 24 years.

I support the need for a sustainable and accountable NDIS. However, I am concerned that aspects of the proposed Bill may have unintended consequences for children with developmental delay, autism and disability, as well as the families and clinicians who support them.

My concerns are primarily from the perspective of early intervention and family-centred practice.

Early intervention is one of the most effective investments we can make for children with developmental delay and autism. When children receive timely supports, they are more likely to develop functional skills, participate in education and community life, and build greater independence over time. Delays in access to supports often result in increased challenges for children, families and service systems in the future.

Many of the children I work with have support needs that are not always obvious in a brief assessment. Difficulties with emotional regulation, executive functioning, sensory processing, social participation and daily living skills often fluctuate across environments and over time. These challenges are best understood through ongoing relationships with children, families, educators and treating clinicians rather than through standardised assessment processes alone.

One family I currently support illustrates why this matters in practice. The child is a young boy with autism, developmental delay, severe restricted eating and significant challenges with self-care skills. He requires substantial support with everyday activities including dressing, toileting, mealtimes, school refusal and participation in community activities.

His restricted eating affects not only his health but also the wellbeing of his entire family. Mealtimes are a major source of stress, with parents spending significant time managing distress, preparing alternative foods and supporting adequate nutrition. Everyday routines that many families take for granted require careful planning and support.

Through occupational therapy, parent coaching and collaboration with educators, the family has developed practical strategies that have improved participation in daily routines, increased independence and reduced stress within the home. He is now going to school each day. These outcomes may not always be captured through standardised assessments, but they have a meaningful impact on the child’s development, family wellbeing and long-term support needs.

This example highlights the importance of individualised assessment and early intervention. When appropriate

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

Submission 3644

supports are available early, children can develop essential life skills, families are better able to sustain their caring role, and the likelihood of requiring more intensive and costly supports in the future is reduced.

I am concerned that increased reliance on standardised assessments, automated decision-making processes and narrower definitions of disability may fail to capture the real-world needs of many children. Early intervention works because it identifies challenges early and provides support before families reach crisis point.

I am also concerned about any changes that reduce the weighting given to evidence provided by treating allied health professionals. Occupational therapists spend considerable time assessing a child’s functional participation at home, school and in the community. This information provides valuable insight into the supports required to help children develop skills, participate in everyday activities and reduce longer-term dependence on services.

Families are already experiencing significant uncertainty about the future of the NDIS. In my work, I am seeing increasing anxiety from parents who are worried about whether their child will continue to receive the supports they need. This uncertainty affects not only children but also parents’ mental health, family wellbeing, and their ability to participate in employment and community life. Any reforms should carefully consider these broader impacts.

As a small paediatric practice, I am also concerned about the ongoing sustainability of the allied health workforce. Children cannot benefit from supports that do not exist. Across Australia, families already face long wait times to access occupational therapy and other allied health services. Any future reforms should ensure pricing, workforce planning and service models support the retention of experienced therapists, particularly in paediatrics, regional communities and areas where workforce shortages already exist.

I encourage the Committee to ensure that any reforms preserve the core principles that have made the NDIS successful for many children and families:

• Individualised and person-centred planning
• Recognition of the expertise of treating clinicians
• Early intervention and prevention
• Meaningful consultation with people with disability, families and allied health professionals
• Transparent and accountable decision-making processes

The long-term sustainability of the NDIS is important. Equally important is ensuring that children like the one described above continue to receive timely, individualised supports that help them participate, learn, develop and thrive within their families and communities. Investment in early intervention and family capacity building not only improves outcomes for children, but also reduces the need for more intensive and costly supports later in life.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide this submission.

Sarah Doyle Founder and Occupational Therapist Seedling OT Sydney, NSW

Sarah Doyle BAppSc(OT) | sarah@seedlingot.com.au | 0412029632 | www.seedlingot.com.au Reg: OCC0001756807  | ABN 30355178280