Does NDIS Funding Cover Autism?

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Throughout the years, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has proven to thousands of Australian patients that their disability can’t get in the way of life. With the aid of their supports and services, NDIS can bring disabled people a step closer to achieving their dreams.

Luckily, one of the conditions that NDIS covers in funding is the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which is an umbrella term for disorders such as Atypical Autism, Asperger's Syndrome and Autism. ASD affects 1 out of every 100 people; which means that 1% of the population struggles with this developmental disability. NDIS Funding Autism can provide the client with assistance in terms of receiving proper care and intervention to improve the quality of their living.

NDIS Funding Autism

Autism can affect the way your loved one goes about their day-to-day routine. Specifically, they may find it hard to communicate, socialise with the community, regulate their feelings, communicate with people, and adjust to the changes in their surroundings. Other manifestations of autism include their lack in their ability to learn new skills; thus, showing struggle with controlling their behaviour, body coordination, and concentrating on specific tasks.

NDIS understands this condition and is dedicated to answering the needs that follow it. That’s why part of their funding is focused on the management of the patient’s therapy and medical support. But before the patient can have access to the services of NDIS, it is important that they fulfill these requirements:

  • The participant should not be under 7 years old or over 65 years old

  • The participant should show their residency requirements to prove that they are an Australian citizen. They can also show either their Permanent Visa or Protected Special Category Visa.

  • Early intervention requirements or disability requirements

NDIS Eligibility List

Under disability requirements, it is necessary for NDIS to specify which eligibility list a patient is included in. This eligibility list is based on their level of autism serves as a guide to determine whether or not a patient is able to automatically access the services and supports of NDIS, or if they need to submit more evidence regarding their functional capacity.

After the patient is diagnosed, they will know what level their autism is. For a standardised assessment, the patient can seek the help of a psychologist, a speech therapist, an occupational therapist, a paediatrician, or a member of a multidisciplinary team. In a nutshell, individuals under ASD Level 1 means they require support, those in ASD level 2 require substantial support, and those under ASD level 3 would need very substantial support. Let’s take a further look at these levels.

Understanding ASD levels

Since ASD is experienced differently by disabled individuals, diagnosing a patient’s level is necessary so that the treatment that they will be receiving is sure to tailor to their specific needs. People with ASD can either have mild, moderate, or severe autism. Therefore, in assessing their ASD level, doctors can point out which aspects of their lives require the most assistance. All in all, there are three levels through which patients can be categorised depending on their ability to manage their daily routine, socialise and communicate effectively, as well as to adapt to changing environments.

ASD Level 1

People who are diagnosed with ASD level 1 are individuals who struggle in being a part of social groups and initiating interactions. This also means that they may find it hard to organise their plans and find solutions to their problems. Generally, situations that require their independence can be a tough thing to face.

In terms of receiving support from NDIS, patients with ASD level 1 need to submit further reports as evidence on the impact of their disability. Specifically, NDIS needs to understand the patient’s situation in terms of learning, mobility, self-management, socialisation, self-care, and communication.

ASD Level 2

On the other hand, people who are diagnosed with ASD level 2 find it particularly difficult to interact especially since they a little and specific interest regarding socialisation. These individuals also tend to perform repetitive or restricted behaviours. Most of the time, they also find it hard to communicate, both verbally and non-verbally.

Patients with ASD level 2 are typically advised to seek occupational therapy or sensory integration therapy. Unlike the case for ASD level 1, this level of autism does not require further assessment. This means that patients can automatically access the available services provided by NDIS.

ASD Level 3

Lastly, patients with ASD level 3 may show symptoms of having deficits in their communication skills, especially in social situations. Moreover, they experience a great deal of stress when faced with situations that require them to focus or change actions. Fortunately, similar to patients with ASD level 2, individuals under this category do not need further assessment to receive the services of NDIS.

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Supports Offered by NDIS

The best thing about coordinating with NDIS Funding Autism is that the treatment that the patient will have is based on their personal goals and dreams. Part of building an NDIS plan is understanding which aspects of a patient’s life require most assistance, without completely taking away their independence. The patient, or their family, have the freedom to choose and have control over the assistance they will get.

NDIS Funding Autism is dedicated to giving capacity building services. With each objective considered, NDIS can give these types of support:

  • Speech or occupational therapy

  • Technologies and equipment related to aid the patient’s condition

  • Personal care such as dressing, eating, showering, and other daily activities

  • Home modifications according to the patient’s disability

  • Eating habits and nutrition

  • Behavioural management and relationship building

  • School aid and tutoring services

  • Engagement in community events

NDIS Funding Autism for Children

The services and supports of NDIS are accessible to people from ages 7 to 65. However, if you have a child below 6 years old, you can still receive NDIS funding via the Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) programme. The ECEI is one of NDIS pathways that is responsible for connecting families of disabled children to the necessary services for their treatment. The ECEI understands that early intervention is the key to achieving better long-term results. And so, they use a family-centred approach in providing the child with proper and individualised treatment.

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