From the Wellbeing Team
When a child is identified as autistic, it’s important for parents and caregivers to find supports that help them understand and navigate the journey ahead.
Living life with autism has its challenges, not only for the people diagnosed with this but also for their families and caregivers. However, that does not mean that those with Autism Spectrum Disorder are not capable of living a meaningful life, nor should they incur all the costs involved. Australians have found support in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) that lets those apply for funding for children and adults with ASD, and gain access to medical support and mental health care providers in this country.
The NDIS requires any person diagnosed with autism by their doctor to be a participant in the funding scheme.
Individuals diagnosed with ASD fall into three categories according to severity:
- Level 1 ASD are those who require support. This level is often undiagnosed unless issues become more obvious in late childhood or early adulthood. Those previously diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome could belong to this category.
- Level 2 ASD are individuals who require substantial support. Children with level 2 ASD require care plans and referrals to therapists, pediatricians and speech pathologists etc.
- Level 3 ASD are people who require very substantial support. Severe mental deficits allow them little to no communication at all, and their behaviours often hinder them from functioning in different aspects of life.
Knowing which level of autism an NDIS participant belongs to provides insight for psychologists, pediatricians, and therapists on what support requirements the family might need.
Level 1 autism diagnosis would need further proof of how autism impacts the individual’s life according to their functioning capacity. Autism Awareness Australia suggests family members urge their medical and psychological specialists to assess how autism impacts the patient’s life in terms of communication, mobility, social interaction, learning, self-care, and self-management. It will then be easier to satisfy NDIS requirements and receive the appropriate support for their loved ones with Level 1 autism.
Alison Warner
Acting Assistant Principal - Learner Engagement and Wellbeing