The abilityNEWS Daily
The Big Story
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Butler’s Thriving Kids Plan Sparks Autism Debate
Health Minister Mark Butler’s Thriving Kids program, aimed at shifting children with mild to moderate developmental delay or autism out of the NDIS, is igniting a fierce debate over cost, therapy effectiveness, and the lifelong nature of autism.
Health Minister Mark Butler has never made any secret of what’s driving Thriving Kids.
Three key reasons drive the change: the huge and growing cost of the NDIS; questions about the effectiveness of the current therapy; and the possibility that alternative (cheaper) treatments might be more effective.
Unsurprisingly, public reaction rapidly descended into binaries. Either the move was perceived as a disaster, because children required early specialist intervention. Or it was wonderful, because it would save money and produce equally effective outcomes.
Amidst that growing noise we stopped focusing on the evidence.
The government’s now established a Thriving Kids Advisory Group. Co-chaired by Professor Frank Oberklaid, this will provide expert advice about design of the program. It will ensure reputable therapies replace current arrangements. It will offer Butler the solution he needs to drive the reforms forward.
But even this won’t address some of the bigger questions about exactly what autism is.
As lead author Chelsea Morrison explains in the following piece, originally published by The Conversation, autism is not something children “grow out of”. Autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition.
Click the following button to go to the abilityNEWS website to read her piece, which considers what support should look like for autistic adults.
The Briefing
Accessible Housing [photo courtesy Architecture Australia]
Economists back accessible housing for Queensland
by Melbourne Disability Institute
Independent economists say Queensland’s rejection of national accessible housing standards relies on flawed and outdated cost-benefit analysis. Their revised modelling shows the benefits to community and government strongly outweigh the added construction costs.
Westmead Feelings Project wins national award for excellence in lived experience collaboration
by Cerebral Palsy Alliance
The Westmead Feelings Project has won a national award for its collaborative approach involving individuals with lived mental health experience. The initiative supports young people on the autism spectrum to better understand and manage emotions.
Help shape the future of Early Childhood Education and Care in NSW
by National Disability Services
NSW's independent pricing regulator is reviewing early childhood education and care services for children with disability. Disability support providers can contribute insights until 22 September to inform the 2025 review.
Inquiry into Thriving Kids Initiative – Have Your Say
by National Disability Services
The House of Representatives is conducting an inquiry into the Thriving Kids initiative, focusing on child wellbeing and development. NDS is seeking member input through a Zoom session to shape its formal submission before 3 October.
In the US: Irvine uses robots to assess accessibility
by Centre For Accessibility Australia
Irvine is using sensor-equipped robots from Oregon firm Daxbot to evaluate pavement and kerb infrastructure for disability compliance. The six-month project will inform future upgrades and cost the city an estimated $920,000.
The Wrap
‘Grave concerns’ from states over Labor plan to move autism services off NDIS
by The Guardian
Labor is facing a growing revolt by the states over plans to provide early intervention autism services through a new $2bn national scheme, with Victoria’s disability minister warning children’s rights must not be traded away “for 30 pieces of silver”. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, wrote to state premiers last week saying negotiations on a new national health funding deal would remain tied to planning for the nearly $50bn NDIS, including moves to shift childhood foundational supports to the new Thriving Kids program, set to operate nationally from 1 July next year.
Top paediatrician's shock theory about why autism diagnoses are surging in Australia
by Daily Mail
Experts warned on Wednesday that thousands of children with developmental delays are being misdiagnosed in order for their families to be able to access funds. 'I think there is pressure to up-diagnose or over-diagnose so people can get access to a scheme that was not designed for people with mild or moderate developmental needs,' paediatrician-turned-politician Dr Mike Freelander told 7News.
Hunter speech pathologists want inclusion in NDIS changes
by Newcastle Weekly
Hunter Valley speech pathologist Emily Burgess admitted much had been made of the outrage of parents in response to the proposed changes, but therapists such as herself also faced a difficult transition. “Moving to a focus on high-needs children sounds good in theory, but it means our caseloads will be full of clients with high, complex needs who require intensive support.
NDIS therapy cutbacks rewound
by The Saturday Paper
The government has backflipped on its plans to remove music and arts therapies from the NDIS. Dr Stephen Duckett, the health economist who led the review, says “It is clear that art and music therapies can be effective, and even life changing, for some people with disability”.
Staying on the NDIS after 65: What changes and what remains the same
by The Senior
The scheme - available to eligible people who apply for it before their 65th birthday - gives people funding to help them access the supports they need. People who turn 65 while on the NDIS can still keep receiving support through it, as long as their eligibility allows them to, but those not already on it remain ineligible.
The Diary
