The NDIS & Autism Spectrum Disorder
Accessing NDIS With Austim – Am I Entitled To Any Funding?
For those living, or caring for someone, with a disability, the NDIS is a welcome reform to the traditional support system for disability in this country. Many of Careseekers' clients are NDIS participants who enjoy the control and affordability our platform offers regarding their support workers.
We’re often asked about NDIS and Autism. Access to the NDIS varies for this condition, depending on the level of Autism Spectrum Disorder the person is diagnosed as having.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) sets out three levels:
- Requires support
- Requires substantial support
- Requires very substantial support
If a person with Autism has been diagnosed as level 2 or 3, they will likely automatically meet NDIS requirements with no further assessment required. The diagnosis must be made by a specialist multi-disciplinary team, paediatrician, psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who is experienced in the assessment of Pervasive Developmental Disorders. It must also be in strict accordance with the current DSM-5.
If the diagnosis is level 1 and the condition can be of varying functional capacity (eg Atypical Autism), an NDIS assessment will be carried out and that will determine the extent to which NDIS funding, if any, will be provided.
The key to maximising your chance of NDIS approval is understanding the functional capacity of whomever is requesting support. This means you must be sure that anyone involved in the Autism diagnosis process uses the categories of communication, social interaction, mobility, learning, self-management and self-care when defining the impact of Autism on daily life.
Are you a parent of a child aged 0-7 who may have Autism or has received a diagnosis of Autism? The Autism Advisor Program offers free impartial, evidence-based information and support.
Find a support worker online with Careseekers
Careseekers is an official NDIS provider, which means that whether you’re a self-managed, plan-managed or agency-managed NDIS participant, you can directly access our services and connect to thousands of independent support workers. We offer you affordability, flexibility, choice and control regarding your care, a pleasing change to traditional support care in this country.
To become a care or support worker, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/carer
To find aged care services, please visit https://www.careseekers.com.au/services/aged-care-workers
To find disability support services, please visit https://www.careseekers.com.au/services/disability-support-workers
