What is the NDIS?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme, commonly known as the NDIS, provides support to eligible Australians with disability.
For children and families, the NDIS may provide access to supports that help a child participate in everyday life, develop skills and work towards goals that are important to them and their family.
The NDIS is administered by the National Disability Insurance Agency, or NDIA.
What kinds of supports might families use?
The supports available depend on the individual child's circumstances, eligibility, goals and approved NDIS plan. Examples may include:
Having an NDIS plan does not mean every type of support will automatically be funded. The supports included in a plan are determined by the NDIA based on the participant's individual circumstances.
Where do families start?
If you are concerned about your child's development, a good starting point can be speaking with an appropriate health professional such as your GP, paediatrician or allied-health professional.
Depending on your child's age and circumstances, different NDIS pathways may apply.
Families can also obtain current information directly from the NDIS about eligibility, applying for access and the pathways available for children.
What information may be useful?
When seeking disability support for a child, it can be useful to gather information that explains how their disability or developmental needs affect everyday life.
This might include:
- Relevant medical or developmental reports
- Allied-health assessments
- Information from kindergarten or school
- Details about everyday support needs
- Information about communication, mobility, learning, self-care or participation
- Examples of activities the child finds difficult without additional support
Understanding your child's goals
Goals are an important part of NDIS planning. They describe things the participant would like to work towards.
For a child, goals might relate to communication, independence, participation, relationships, learning, mobility or everyday routines.
Goals do not need to be written in complicated language. They should reflect what is meaningful to the child and their family.
Understanding plan management
NDIS funding can be managed in different ways. Depending on the participant's plan, funding may be agency-managed, plan-managed, self-managed or use a combination of management types.
The way funding is managed can affect which providers a family can use and how invoices are paid.
Families should check their current plan and speak with the NDIA or an appropriate NDIS contact if they are unsure how their child's funding is managed.
Choosing supports for your child
Finding the right support is about more than simply finding an available provider.
Families may want to consider whether a provider has appropriate qualifications and experience, understands the child's needs, communicates well with the family and takes an approach that fits the child's goals and preferences.
It is reasonable to ask providers questions before deciding whether they are the right fit for your family.
What if my child does not have an NDIS plan?
Not every child who needs developmental or therapeutic support will have an NDIS plan.
Depending on the service, families may be able to access support privately or through other funding arrangements. There may also be community, health or early-childhood services available outside the NDIS.
If you are unsure where to begin, speaking with an appropriately qualified health professional can help you understand possible next steps.
NDIS support at Spriggle Kids
Spriggle Kids supports children and families across the Mornington Peninsula who are navigating therapy, developmental services and disability supports.
Our aim is to make the process easier to understand and help families connect with appropriate support for their child.
Important information
This guide provides general information only and does not constitute NDIS, legal, financial, medical or therapeutic advice. NDIS eligibility, funding and plan decisions are made by the NDIA and can change over time. Families should check current information directly with the NDIS or an appropriately qualified professional when making decisions about their child's circumstances.