Mother of three kids with autism gives 'cautious support' for NDIS changes

All three of her children (aged eight, ten and 18) are on NDIS plans. All three have autism.

The mum, from Port Macquarie on the NSW Mid North Coast, said the scheme had some benefits, but for regional families such as hers, there were a lot of issues too.

"The support is limited, and I have found that staff are overwhelmed and the NDIS is understaffed," she said.

Her younger two children have not had an NDIS review in over five years.

"A child under 15 changes so much," she said. "So when you have children that haven't had a review in years, they are completely different."

"The plans are now completely irrelevant to who they are now."

Ms Law also criticised the NDIS for being "too narrow" in its support.

She said certain types of support for autism, such as sensory support, weren't covered by the NDIS.

"They have a set standard of support needs that is expected of autism," she said. "If they need anything outside of that, it isn't funded."

"It is box ticking."

Her comments come as federal disability minister Mark Butler announced children with autism and developmental delays who rely on the NDIS for support will be diverted to a new program on August 21.

Mr Butler said the NDIS was not the right fit for the growing number of children on the autism spectrum or with developmental delays.

A separate program called Thriving Kids will be set up to focus on those children previously covered by the NDIS.

It will begin rolling out from July 2026 and be fully implemented by July 2027.

Ms Law is "cautiously hopeful" about the change.

"If they make the program flexible and individualised and shaped by autistic voices, it could be a really big improvement," she said.

Autism Spectrum Australia (ASPECT) CEO Jacqui Borland echoed Ms Law's comments. She said rural and regional families face greater challenges accessing the NDIS due to a workforce shortage.

"If Thriving Kids is co-designed with the Autistic community, including regional representatives and modelled well, with strong State partnership backing community-based supports, we can potentially increase choice for regional families, cut wait times and reduce the barrier of distance," she said.

"Importantly, though, the challenges of regional support for children requiring intensive therapy or 1:1 support will not disappear through 'Thriving Kids'.

"We must still work with government to address those challenges in innovative ways."

Moving kids with autism and developmental delays onto the Thriving Kids program would ensure the future sustainability of the NDIS scheme, Mr Butler said, which is expected to cost the federal budget $52 billion in 2025/26.

-with Australian Associated Press