Your questions on creating a NDIS plan with Autism answered
If you or your loved one have recently been approved for NDIS funding for autism, we welcome you on board this transformative journey towards independence and what a thrilling ride it will be. Thankfully, you have a world of possibilities ahead of you and the first step is to create an NDIS plan and decipher your goals.
Navigating the complexities of the NDIS can be daunting, especially if you’re new to the scheme. At Maple, we believe in the power of knowledge and our aim is to arm you with all the information you need to get you started on the right foot.
Are you or a loved one eligible for NDIS funding?
What is an NDIS planning meeting autism?
An NDIS planning meeting is a critical step in your journey to obtaining support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The process typically involves one or more discussions with an NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) to develop a personalised plan that outlines the supports and services you need to meet your specific goals.
You may choose to bring a family member, carer, or a significant other to your planning meeting with you. It’s a good idea to have someone there who can advocate for you, support you and also bring a different perspective on the supports that will be most suitable for your needs.
How do I create an NDIS plan?
The formulation of your NDIS plan primarily takes place during the planning meeting, but the phase leading up to this meeting is equally vital. You will want to approach your planning meeting with a good understanding of what you aim to achieve with your NDIS funding.
Preparation
Before the meeting you will need to think about your own specific goals, strengths and challenges so they can be considered at the meeting. At this point you should also gather reports and assessments from health professionals, educators, and therapists to help outline a comprehensive understanding of your autism-related needs.
Discussion
During the meeting, your planner or LAC will discuss you or your loved ones daily life, how your autism diagnosis affects you, and what kind of support you currently receive from your support network. The aim of this conversation is to identify the types of supports that would be most beneficial to you.
Setting goals
One of the key aspects of the meeting is setting goals. Your goals are a measurable aspiration for what you want to achieve with your NDIS funding. You should set long term and short term goals and they can be adjusted at any time.
Everyone’s goals will vary and depend on your unique circumstances but you may find some are similar to others and it’s ok to get inspiration from peers.
Determining supports
Based on the discussion of your needs and the goals you have set for yourself, your planner or LAC will help to identify the types of supports that could be included in your NDIS plan to help you to reach them. This can range from therapeutic supports (like speech therapy or occupational therapy) assistance with daily activities, equipment and technology needs, and supports for social and community participation.
Plan management
Your meeting will also cover how your plan will be managed. There are three main options for plan management including self-managed, plan-managed usually by a third party or NDIA managed.
Review process
During the meeting you will discuss how and when your plan will be reviewed. This will depend on how often your needs are likely to change but usually a review happens every 12 months. Your review ensures that your plan continues to meet your needs and gives you the opportunity to adjust any supports if necessary.
Finalising the plan
Once your plan is finalised it will need to be reviewed and approved by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). Once your plan has been approved, you can start accessing the funded supports.
What should be included in the NDIS plan for autism?
While it’s helpful to analyse other examples of NDIS plans for autism, remember that your plan will need to be person-centred to you and will be carefully crafted to align with your unique strengths, challenges and life aspirations. The supports allocated to you in your plan will reflect your goals. This means you need to focus on what you want to achieve rather than the supports that you would like the NDIS to provide for you.
Common examples of NDIS goals for those living with autism include:
- Improving social skills to be able to make new friends
- Developing daily living skills to be able to become more independent
- Accessing education or employment to enhance career opportunities
- Developing coping strategies to help manage anxiety and reduce melt downs
If you’d like assistance in crafting an impactful NDIS plan our team at Maple are committed to providing you with the guidance necessary to develop a plan that addresses your needs and aligns seamlessly with your goals.
How much funding can you get from NDIS?
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