How can NDIS help in early intervention?
Australia’s NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) is not just about supporting people with a diagnosed lifelong disability. Some children and adults can also receive funding for early intervention therapies to support impairments that are likely to be permanent.
Essentially, if a person doesn’t meet the disability requirements to be eligible for regular NDIS funding, they may be eligible under the early intervention requirements.
This program provides funding for early access to integral support services that can help a child (or adult) deal with the functional impacts of their condition. The services aren’t considered to be a lifelong need; they are early intervention supports that may reduce your need for future disability support.
Who is eligible for NDIS early intervention support?
LifeLift’s professional, compassionate therapists can provide critical support services such as OT, counselling and speech therapy to kids and their families who may benefit from NDIS early childhood intervention funding.
Our team can also assist with NDIS early intervention applications.
To meet the eligibility requirements to access NDIS early intervention funding, a person must:
- Have an impairment that’s likely to be permanent (intellectual, physical, psychosocial, cognitive etc)
- Be deemed to be able to benefit from early intervention supports ie. that these supports may help improve your functional capacity
- Be able to show the early intervention support is most appropriately funded by the NDIS
There are more specific requirements in some cases, such as in younger children with developmental delay and those with hearing impairments. Find out more here.
Recently, the NDIS early childhood approach age range changed to include children under 9. Children over 9 are supported through NDIS local area coordination partners.
LifeLift & NDIS early childhood intervention
The NDIS supports early childhood intervention because it gives children the best opportunity to develop, learn and build their capacity, setting them up for self-reliance and for the years ahead to be as fulfilling as possible.
The focus is on helping kids and their families get the funding they need to access best-practice early childhood intervention supports that can make a significant difference in everyday life. It’s about helping boost a child’s (and their caregivers’) confidence and ability to do those things that allow them to live fully and participate in meaningful activities at home and in the community.
Under this approach, children with a range of conditions – such as ADHD, developmental delay, autism, physical disabilities, muscular disorders, learning disabilities, brain injury, mental health challenges, and more – can access support.
Key ways LifeLift can help
LifeLift’s NDIS registered and AHPRA certified therapists offer a range of early intervention support services to assist kids and their families, including:
- Counselling & psychological support
Psychology and counselling services can make an enormous positive difference to children experiencing psychosocial disability, paving the way for them to live with greater dignity and freedom.
They promote wellbeing through interventions that can:
- Enhance positive behaviour;
- Provide life-changing insights;
- Reduce stress;
- Promote positive decision making;
- Improve relationships;
- Support better communication; and
- Boost confidence, etc.
LifeLift’s empathetic counselling & psychological support team is person-centred, and our mobile therapists can see your children at home or school.
Paediatric Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy (OT) for young children living with disability can be transformational.
The central aim is to support kids to build essential life skills, allowing them to live with more independence and do things that are important to them out in the community, at school and within their homes.
OTs undertake assessments that allow them to deliver personalised programs focusing on overcoming social, emotional or physical barriers. They can assist with:
- Gross and fine motor skills;
- Self-care skills;
- Self-management skills;
- Learning skills;
- Social skills;
- Accessing assistive technologies; and
- Accessing specialised equipment.
Nursing Continence Assessment
Children with disability can experience continence issues and/or need assistance with toileting.
Assessing your child’s needs is essential and LifeLift’s NDIS registered community nurses can carry out continence assessments to understand the causes of continence issues, and look at how best to support managing these.
LifeLift can conduct these in children aged from 5 to 15 years.
NDIS early intervention FAQs
Q.What age group is the NDIS for?
A. Recently, the NDIS early childhood approach age range changed to include children under 9. Children over 9 are supported through NDIS local area coordination partners.
Q.What does the NDIS do for children?
A. The NDIS provides funding for early intervention therapies to support children with impairments that are likely to be permanent. Not sure if this applies to your child? Contact us now.
Q. Can LifeLift help with NDIS early intervention applications?
A. Yes, our specialist team can help you with your NDIS early childhood intervention application. Contact us for assistance.
Have NDIS funding and want to arrange support?
