The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an organisation that funds the cost associated with a disability. A scheme in which individuals with a diagnosis are assessed and goals are derived as aims to be achieved throughout the year. The NDIS determines funding they deem as necessary to help achieve these goals then ‘tada’ therapy and equipment paid for, simple right?
Not so much. It can be an extremely overwhelming process for parents to navigate through. Posing many questions.
What services will my child need?
How often will they attend therapy?
How many hours will funding cover?
Will my child get adequate funding?
How can I spread the funding out to get the most out of it?
Will my child be able to achieve their goals?
What’s an NDIS plan?
An NDIS plan covers information about the participant, family and friends, services and community groups, participant goals and funded support. The plan is based on discussions from a planning meeting where their child's diagnosis is discussed and goals are made. Parents often feel this is quite the overwhelming process as it gets you to focus on all of the things that your child can not do and struggles with. The first few times I had my planning meeting for my daughter I couldn’t work out why I felt so frazzled and defeated afterwards, then year after year I would feel the same anxious feeling as it approached. After chatting to other parents I soon realised that I wasn't the only one. It then occurred to me that although they have always gone perfectly fine, it was quite draining and confronting to only discuss all of the things your child had challenges with. It makes sense I guess, but there is no point turning up to a planning meeting and praising and celebrating all of your child's accomplishments and focusing on all the areas they are doing well in. This simply will not get the funding your child deserves. Someone once told me early on to base my child's plan off a particularly hard day, a day when all their struggles are present and how true this is!
What does level 2 mean?
Autism is a neurological condition that is lifelong, symptoms and characteristics are unique and present differently between individuals. Level 2 Autism is the middle range of autism in terms of severity. It isn’t the most mild form but also isn’t the most severe. NDIS funding for autism is determined depending on the level.
Level 1 requires further assessment whereas level 2 and 3 automatically qualifies for funding support, as substantial care is required.
Basically individuals with level 2 or 3 autism have difficulties in social interactions, managing emotions and behaviours and adapting to environments. They require help and support services to assist with day-to-day living.
Example goals for a level 2 NDIS plan
Short-term goal – Child will work through sensory needs to be able to get dressed in the morning.
How this will be achieved?
Child will be able to get dressed in the morning (with assistance) in a time appropriate way with minimal distress.
How will this be supported?
Continue to be provided with opportunities at home to practice skills and strategies to support his goal. There will be a plan in place to assist child and caregivers in achieving this goal.
Medium or long term goal – To develop emotional regulation skills.
How this will be achieved?
Be able to separate from the caregiver to comfortably attend a full day of school.
How will this be supported?
Continue to be provided with opportunities at home and school to practice skills and strategies to support his goal. There will be a plan in place to assists caregivers in achieving this goal.
Medium or long term goal – To develop social skills.
How this will be achieved?
Child will gain the confidence and social skills to make a friend at school.
How will this be supported?
Continue to be provided with opportunities at home and school to practice skills and strategies to support his goal. There will be a plan in place to assist caregivers in achieving this goal.
Medium or long term goal – To improve expressive and pragmatic communication skills.
How this will be achieved?
Child will be able to name their emotions when they are upset and answer questions.
How will this be supported?
Continue to be provided with opportunities at home and school to practice skills and strategies to support his goal. There will be a plan in place to assist caregivers in achieving this goal.
Medium or long term goal – To develop regulation skills.
How this will be achieved?
Child will be able to develop regulation skills and coping strategies to assist with dealing with emotions.
How will this be supported?
Continue to be provided with opportunities at home and school to practice skills and strategies to support his goal. There will be a plan in place to assist caregivers in achieving this goal.
Once these goals are assessed appropriate funding is allocated to assist in making the goals achievable, to build independence and reduce the level of support for the future. In the early years goals can remain the same, as children grow the goals will change to support the next phase of their development and then it may reach a stage where they stay relatively the same again.
Services used to assist in achieving goals and that are funded via the National disability Insurance scheme may include.
-Applied behaviour analysis
-Behaviour psychology
-Occupational therapy
-Personal care support
-Sensory training
-Social therapy
-Positive behaviour support
One person’s goals on their level 2 NDIS plan may be similar to that of another whereas they can also be completely different. The type of funding given may be more or less and the services used to assist in achieving skills will also be different according to each individual.
It is important to find a support coordinator who will listen and competently write up a plan that sets your child up for success. Supporting documentation from therapists and professionals will also assist in obtaining the most from your NDIS plan.
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