News
Many in the disability community have been venting their frustrations following the NDIS Minister’s unexpected announcement of the new Thriving Kids program.
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Mark Butler, revealed that Thriving Kids will take over the role the NDIS plays in supporting children aged zero to nine with autism and developmental delays, leaving people with disability, their families and advocacy organisations angered by the decision.
One person set to be impacted by the changes is Lee Smith, whose autistic son attends a mainstream school. Despite excelling in academia, Ms Smith says her son struggles socially and emotionally and is worried his NDIS funds will cease once Thriving Kids come into effect.
NDIS is supposed to be about assessing each child and person individually as to what they need functionally to live a good life. It's not supposed to be based on your diagnosis
Lee Smith
When the NDIS Minister revealed that Thriving Kids would include parent development programs such as the Inklings initiative, which is a program for babies aged 6-18 months who are showing early differences in their social interaction and communication development, Ms Smith was left fuming.
“Neurodivergence can't be outgrown with short-term therapy or parent sessions…Saying that I'll do 10 parent sessions and my son's autism will be cured…is so incredibly insulting to my child, to me.”
Ms Smith believes those kinds of programs place the blame on parents who are raising children with autism and developmental delay.
“It’s basically saying if I was a better parent, [my son] wouldn't be disabled,” she argues.
When Powered Media contacted the Minister’s office for comment, Mark Butler issued a response saying that he understood the disability community’s reservations but claimed the coming changes would not leave parents of children with disability high and dry.
We're going to make sure that there is a scheme well designed that gives them confidence. We're going to do everything we can to support their kids to thrive, and there'll be no gap between the stools
Mark Butler
“I'm not going to have people leaving the NDIS without a system in place to support them. If they're on the NDIS now or into the future before this system starts, they will stay on the NDIS.”
Australian
Federation of Disability Organisations CEO, Ross Joyce, has also weighed in,
acknowledging Minister Butler’s focus on the sustainability of the NDIS while
stressing the importance of improving the lives of people with disability
through feedback and co-design.
“The NDIS has changed lives, and AFDO is committed to working with government to secure its future. But reforms must protect the rights of people with disability, not reduce the supports they depend on,” Mr Joyce stresses.