News
Many children living with Autism and their families are facing uncertain futures as the NDIS continues to disconnect remove them from the scheme.
In January, the Albanese government announced Australia’s first National Autism Strategy, a plan for improving the lives of Autistic people through social and economic inclusion, better access to support services, and better health and mental health awareness.
An estimated 675,000 Australians living with Autism, according to peak advocacy body Autism Spectrum Australia. That’s 1 in 40 people.
Now, due to a series of unexpected NDIS reforms in recent months, people with Autism and their families are on the receiving end of funding cuts of up to 70%, threatening their ability to receive essential supports according to the AEIUO Foundation.
Autism Awareness Australia’s CEO, Nicole Rogerson says state governments are not ready to support the approximately 600 autistic children who are having their NDIS packages removed every week.
It just beggars’ belief that we were going to run after an economic target to keep the NDIS from growing beyond 8% without thinking of the human collateral damage
Nicole Rogerson
Talking to Powerd Media, she went on to pose the question of where the much-needed support will come from.
“When the wheels fall off for those kids…who used to get support under the NDIS are now not getting that support, what system is going to catch them?”
While the initial system in question was supposed to come in the shape of Foundational Supports, it was announced by Minister for Disability and the NDIS Mark Butler that they have been delayed until the end of the year.
In a statement on the AAA’s website, Ms Rogerson alluded to the complex issue of NDIS being funded by Federal Government, while costs of Foundational Supports are to be shared between Commonwealth States and Territories, but stressed the importance of continued government support.
“There needs to be a streamlined approach to address the funding gaps between the Commonwealth and state governments, because the current changes to the NDIS are having a real impact on Australian children,” Ms Rogerson says.