NDIS Complex Support & Care for people with Autism/ High-needs Autism

Yes. Maple specialises in supporting people with high needs autism who may require assistance with communication, daily living, behaviours of concern, sensory sensitivities, emotional regulation, or co-occurring conditions. We create personalised support plans designed around each person’s needs, routines, goals, and preferences, helping participants build stability, confidence, and independence over time.

Yes. Maple can support participants exploring autism-friendly accommodation options, including Supported Independent Living (SIL) and group homes for high-functioning autistic adults. We focus on matching people with suitable living environments that promote independence, social connection, routine, and long-term wellbeing while ensuring the right level of support is available when needed.

Yes. We regularly work alongside Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, Psychologists, Physiotherapists, Positive Behaviour Support practitioners, and other healthcare professionals to help ensure everyone is working towards the same goals. By keeping communication consistent across your support team, we help create a more coordinated and person-centred approach to care.

We know that the relationship between a participant and their Support Worker can significantly impact outcomes. That’s why we take the time to understand communication styles, interests, sensory preferences, cultural background, routines, and support requirements before matching participants with a suitable support team.

Support Coordinators often need providers who can respond quickly, communicate clearly, and support participants with higher support needs. Maple is known for taking a person-centred approach, providing consistent support teams, and working collaboratively with families and professionals to create long-term, sustainable outcomes.

You may need complex care if autism is paired with high support needs, such as behaviours of concern, severe communication challenges, co-occurring conditions (like epilepsy or intellectual disability), unsafe daily living skills, or the need for structured supervision. If support needs go beyond standard daily assistance and require behavioural, clinical or intensive in-home support, the NDIS will often classify this as complex care. A Support Coordinator or clinician can help document this clearly for the NDIA.

High needs autism generally refers to individuals who require a greater level of support in their daily lives due to challenges with communication, social interaction, emotional regulation, sensory processing, personal care, or independent living. Support needs vary from person to person and may change over time. Many people with high-needs autism benefit from structured routines, specialised support, and consistent care that helps them participate more confidently in everyday life.

Yes. Supported Independent Living (SIL) can help people with autism develop independence while receiving support with daily tasks, routines, personal care, household responsibilities, and community participation. SIL arrangements are tailored to individual goals, support needs, and living preferences.

Yes. If meltdowns or shutdowns significantly impact safety, decision-making, or daily functioning, the NDIS may fund:

• In-home complex support workers
• Behaviour support practitioners
• Increased supervision levels
• Crisis or escalation support strategies

The key is demonstrating that the behaviours pose significant functional impact or risk, not just occasional overwhelm.

Yes. If community outings present safety risks such as bolting, sensory overload, aggression, or medical concerns, the NDIS may fund:

• 1:1 or 2:1 support ratios
• skilled behavioural support workers
• structured community participation sessions

This ensures the participant can access the community safely and meaningfully.

Strong documentation is essential. This typically includes:

• Behavioural assessments and behaviour support plans
• Psychological and developmental reports
• OT and speech therapy assessments
• Incident data or risk assessments
• Evidence showing the need for supervision, structure, or clinical oversight

Reports must clearly link the participant’s autism-related challenges to the support required. Without this, complex care funding is often delayed or declined.

Yes, in fact, many participants with complex needs require both. Therapies such as OT, speech and psychology build long-term capacity, while high-intensity or in-home complex care provides the daily support needed to stay safe, regulated, and able to engage in therapy. When combined in a coordinated plan, these supports create a stable environment where the participant can progress, learn, and live with more independence.