the Thriving Kids Program and my concerns, submission
Introduction
Thank you for allowing submissions into the Inquiry into the Thriving Kids initiative.
| am the mother of an adult NDIS Participant who has been on the NDIS since trial days. | am my
child’s NDIS Nominee. My child has co-morbid disabilities, which include ASD (L3), ID and complex PTSD.
| write my submission based upon my experiences as a mother, who has been actively engaged
with my child since birth to ensure the best possible outcome in life. | have been actively involved
within the disability community since my child’s birth and advocated, tuned into best practice and listened closely to those who had already had life experiences as they were able to assist me with better understanding of my own child.
My concerns
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is for all Australian citizens who are eligible and have a permanent disability/s. However, since 3rd October 2024, regardless of serious concerns of disability advocates, peak bodies, people with disabilities, parents, caregivers and guardians, the Federal Government passed Legislation which has debilitated, deprived and harmed NDIS
Participants and those who care for their loved ones. It has been, | feel, Government abuse and
discrimination on a mass scale.
What we are seeing is Robodebt, in the NDIS. On the most vulnerable citizens in our society.
My concerns in brief about the Thriving Kids initiative.
+ Principled in ABA. | have extensively listened to adults who have autism and they have
expressed very clearly how traumatising ABA in any form is. | believe it is unsafe and dangerous
to do this to a child. | feel, no Government should authorise such a program for Autistic children
or any child. Any potential risk of trauma is too high.
Conflicts of interest in developing deals with the Government for the initiative, no openness with the neurodiverse community.
- lack of consultation with Leaders in the neurodivergent community eg Australian Neurodivergent Parents Association ANPA, Regional Autistic Engagement Network and Ladybirds.
school care is massively underfunded. My child is suffering from the consequences of this 20 years later
my child was put on a Federal Government funded program through primary school 15 years
ago. This led to trauma and PTSD. | urge the Government to cease going ahead, and slow down
immediately. Consult with peers in the neurodiverse community who have experience where bureaucrats have none. Do not continue harming the community. The Government will be held accountable and responsible for harming these children.
- $2 billion over five years for all states is minimum funding and equates to low spending for these children.
children should not be kicked off the National Disability Insurance Scheme without due care of foundational supports based in Human Rights principles. All children, regardless of their disability should be eligible for the NDIS. Otherwise it is discriminatory.
- children and families deserve choice and control in their lives, not given one Government initiative with no choice. Everyone is entitled to choice, we are all individuals. Otherwise we live in a dictatorship rather than a democracy.
Outcome
Cease the initiative until consultation occurs with neurodiverse groups eg ANPA, Regional Autistic Engagement Network and Ladybirds.
Provide evidence of clear transparency as to no conflicts of interest to the individuals linked to the initiative and the Government.
Provide further information and clear details about the initiative so people have clear understanding of the impact and issues.
Provide alternatives or cease this initiative. When enough neurodivergent individuals have raised concerns about ABA practices and the impact of trauma, it should raise ethical concerns to alarm the Federal Government.
There has been no evidence of co-design in foundational supports. The Federal Government has not upheld their promise of co-design in any regard whatsoever to the disability community
Lastly, our community has lost faith in the Labor Government. We know they are no listening to our concerns, submissions, nor are they co-designing. We are being ignored and harmed.
Thank you for reading.