By Stuart Balachandran – Clinical Psychology Registrar
We know that the recent changes in how the NDIS defines support have sparked concern within the neurodiverse community, particularly for those accessing services for autism and related conditions. At Minds & Hearts, we’ve been hearing from many of you who are worried about how these changes may impact your support, especially when it comes to autism level 1 or funding for services like psychotherapy, parenting support, occupational therapy and speech therapy.
This post is here to clear up the confusion and reassure you that based on the information available to us from the NDIS at the time of writing (Oct 2024) none of the core services we provide at Minds & Hearts have been affected by these changes. The therapies and supports we offer continue to be fully funded by the NDIS, and the criteria for accessing support remain focused on how a condition affects daily functioning rather than the specific diagnosis or label you may have received.
Services at Minds & Hearts Are Still Fully Supported
One of the key misunderstandings is that autism level 1 is no longer covered by the NDIS. We want to make it clear: the NDIS doesn’t exclude anyone based on the type or “level” of diagnosis. Whether someone is diagnosed with autism level 1, level 2, or level 3, what matters is how the condition impacts daily life. For example, if someone with autism level 1 struggles with communication, social skills, or maintaining employment, those areas of functional impact are still recognized, and supports can be provided.
At Minds & Hearts, we focus on helping clients achieve meaningful outcomes—whether that’s through building social communication skills, supporting emotional regulation, or improving independence. These therapies are not just still funded by the NDIS, they remain central to the NDIS’s mission to support individuals with disabilities to live more independently and participate fully in their communities.
Clarifying Misinformation: The NDIS Is Still Accessible
Another source of confusion we’ve seen is the belief that the NDIS is now “harder to get.” While navigating the system can sometimes be complex, the eligibility criteria haven’t fundamentally changed. If you, or someone you care for, are experiencing a significant impact on your ability to participate in daily activities—whether due to autism, other neurodevelopmental conditions, or any other disabilities —you are likely still eligible for support. Our team is always available to help guide you through the process and ensure that you can access the help you need.
Remember, the NDIS looks at how your condition affects you in daily life, not just the label. So, if you’re finding it harder to manage tasks at work, school, or home, if engaging in the community is challenging due to social communication differences, or if anxiety and emotional regulation are significant challenges, the NDIS is there to provide funding for the evidence-based therapies that can help.
What’s No Longer Funded and Why
We’ve also had questions about certain services and supports that are no longer funded. Some of these changes are part of the NDIS’s ongoing commitment to focusing on evidence-based supports that are directly linked to improving functional outcomes. For example, the NDIS has clarified that certain therapies like reiki, crystal therapy, and sound healing are no longer funded because they lack sufficient evidence to show that they improve day-to-day functioning for people with disabilities.
Additionally, items like pet food and other lifestyle-related expenses that were never intended to be part of the NDIS are now more explicitly excluded. This doesn’t change how the NDIS supports you with things like assistive technology, therapy, or modifications to your home or work environment—all of which remain covered.
For those who want to dive deeper into the specifics of what’s covered and what’s no longer funded, we encourage you to review the official documents that outline these changes in full detail. These include categories of supports that are and are not considered NDIS-funded supports. You can explore these documents by visiting the following resources on the NDIS website:
- Supports that are NDIS-funded
- Supports that are funded Easy Read
- Supports that are not NDIS-funded
- Supports that are not NDIS-funded Easy Read
- Replacement supports and new guidelines
- Replacement supports and new guidelines Easy Read
What You Can Expect Moving Forward
The most important thing to know is that the work we do here at Minds & Hearts remains fully supported by the NDIS. Whether you’re accessing our services for autism assessments, speech therapy, occupational therapy, or psychological support, the funding is still there for the evidence-based interventions that help individuals thrive.
We’re committed to staying on top of these changes and ensuring that the community we serve continues to receive the high-quality care they deserve and will continue to provide updated information if and when any significant changes occur.
If you’re feeling uncertain about how the changes impact your specific situation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help guide you through this process and answer any questions you may have.