Submission on Thriving Kids Program
I wish to express my rejection of the proposed Thriving Kids program.
While presented as an early-support initiative, it is based on flawed assumptions. Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. Labelling children as having “mild to moderate” autism falsely implies that their support needs are temporary or can be outgrown. No clear, evidence-based definition of “mild to moderate” autism has been provided, leaving families vulnerable to arbitrary eligibility decisions.
The program also shifts responsibility for developmental and autism support onto mainstream services such as schools and GPs, without recognising that these sectors are already under-resourced and unable to meet current demand. Teachers and medical practitioners repeatedly report lacking both the time and the specialist training to provide adequate support. Redirecting children away from the NDIS will only increase pressure on unqualified professionals, while reducing children’s access to evidence-based therapies.
Unless significant, guaranteed investment in capacity-building and specialist training is delivered before any transition, this program risks creating critical gaps in support. Families will be left to navigate long waiting lists, inequities across states and regions, and the loss of vital NDIS protections.
For these reasons, I oppose the Thriving Kids program in its current form.
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