As a parent of a child with special needs you may wish to access the NDIA to fund services to help support your child. The following will provide a guide to help you get started. As processes and guidelines change over time, you may also wish to check the NDIA website for more information.
NDIA funding is available to children aged over six years if they have certain diagnosed disabilities which are considered to be permanent and lifelong. The funding is aimed to reduce the impact of disability, increase functional skills and reduce the need for support in the future. Children aged under six years may also be eligible for early intervention if they have delayed development, even if they do not have a diagnosed disability. Find out more about registering children aged under six years here.
How do I know if my child is eligible? The NDIA provide a list of disabilities which are eligible for funding. These include:
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- Intellectual disability
- Autism
- Cerebral Palsy
- Some genetic conditions
- Spinal cord or brain injuries
- Blindness or deafness
- Amputation
For full details of these conditions check the NDIA website.
Your child’s disability must substantially reduce their ability to participate effectively in activities, or perform tasks or actions unless they have assistance from other people or assistive technology or equipment or they must be unable to participate effectively even with assistance or aides and equipment. Their disability must affect their ability to participate in the community and they need to be likely to require support for their lifetime.
If your child has an eligible disability you will need to provide information to NDIA about your child’s condition and their skills and challenges. You may be required to provide diagnostic reports as well as reports about your child’s current skill levels. You can contact the NDIA by phone on 1800 800 110 or go to your nearest office to discuss registering your child. You can also find out more by completing the access checker or downloading the participant information pack.
What do I do if I feel my child would be likely to be eligible? You can contact the NDIA by phoning 1800 800 110 or going into your nearest office and asking for your child to be considered for support.
NDIA will then gather information from you about your child. They may ask you to answer a number of questions about your child to determine the level of support needed using a developmental screening tool. You may also wish to provide information such as reports from service providers to add extra information to your application. The NDIA will then process your application and inform you of your eligibility.
What happens if my child is eligible? NDIA will then contact you for a planning meeting. This meeting may occur by phone. During this meeting, your planner will discuss with you the goals you would like your child to achieve over the next 12 months. Your planner will then determine the types of support your child is eligible for and the level of funding you can access for each type of support.
What happens if I my child is assessed to be not eligible for NDIA funding? If you are unhappy with a decision you have the right to appeal it. You can contact the NDIA by phone, letter or email to discuss your concerns. You can download an appeal form here.
If my child is eligible what supports can I access? Your plan may include funding for some or all of the following:
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- Therapy supports to develop your child’s functional skills
- Support to help your child access activities in the community
- Support for you to assist your child
- Support for you to manage your child’s plan and/or funding
What happens at the end of my plan? Your child’s progress will be reviewed and a new plan is completed.
If you would like to find out more you can phone the NDIA, visit their office or website, or speak to your service provider.
Are you concerned about your child's development? Talking Matters provides speech therapy and occupational therapy for children in our clinic in Elizabeth Downs as well as a number of schools in the northern areas of Adelaide, South Australia. We offer a range of group programs in school holidays. Browse our website to find out more, or contact our staff for further information.
More information about speech, language, motor skills and sensory skills is available from the download section of our website. Check our Pinterest page for activities, information and ideas. Check the Talking Matters website for other useful resources. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter so you don't miss out on what's happening.
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