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

Submission 3694

Dear Inquiry,

I am concerned re the proposed cuts to the NDIS specifically for young adults with ASD.

My son has ASD level 2, adhd, Gad, hyperhidrosis and diplopia at close range vision.

Without the support of the NDIs I believe he would not have obtained employment in Mainstream (part time that it is although it is not at the level of New Grad Science)

Capacity building with the OT has led to much improvement with self helps skills and he has learnt to do many tasks now himself and has a cooling vest for work. She has also helped with emotional regulation and organisation skills.

Although he was intelligent enough to get a Bachelor of Science degree without the help of support worker and OT and Behaviour support clinician he would not be able to live independently. While not able to qualify for SDA or SiL I believe his on going housing needs would be best served to live with lower needs young people and have some access to support especially with prompts and reminders for cooking ,cleaning and self care to imbed these skills further and possibly some assistance with these tasks. He does not need 24 hour a day care or support

Attending Cohive ( an NDIS service for 18-35 year olds with lower needs )this helped him obtain a job and find his own tribe and make meaningful friendships .Previously he had been in a selective mainstream school and had lost all his friends and routines. They have a multiprong approach with a variety of activities and supports to get young people into mainstream employment which I know of at least 10 young people being successful with that .

That has improved the self esteem and motivation of my son enormously .Prior to this he thought he was never going to be employed .

I am concerned that although he may be regarded as low needs cutting him off the NDIS scheme will be detrimental to his own going and improving independence and self help skills and ongoing employment.

Without the NDIS I believe he would have had to live with me and this had effective my employment opportunities, my own self care and my own health .When I developed as a single mother breast cancer if I did not have the support of NDIS workers I would have found it extremely difficult to cope.

I realise there is not endless money for government programs however if my son is cut off from the NDIS program ( rather than possibly have some funding areas decrease) I am concerned that his gains in self care ,self advocacy and self esteem will decline . He is currently involved via an NDIS vocational service investigating other areas for employment which is more commensurate with his skills,intellect and will further help him contribute to society .

Having a plan manager has helped with coping with paying bills and a support coordinator to oversee that he has been getting appropriate services.

Is there a way instead of cutting back so many participants look at streamlining and making the NDIAureaucracy more efficient .

Thank you for reading my submission.