NDIS Changes for Kids Around 6-7 Years Old: What You Need to Know
The NDIS is making some changes, and if you have a child around the age of 6 or 7, you may have heard about eligibility checks. These changes are especially common for kids who were supported under early childhood criteria, like developmental delays. Let’s go over what this means and how to be prepared if your child’s plan comes up for review.
Why Eligibility Changes at Age 6?
For younger kids, the NDIS often provides support under early intervention, which means they’re eligible based on developmental delays. But when kids reach 6, the eligibility criteria shift. To stay on the NDIS, children usually need a diagnosis of a permanent disability that affects everyday life. There are many children who have made huge gains from having the support prior to their 6th birthday, and no longer meet the criteria of having a significant permanent disability. But if your child still needs a lot of support, this can feel like a stressful time, especially if they have a disability like Developmental Language Disorder, which is less well understood.
For many families, reaching age 6 can feel like hitting a roadblock if their child’s needs don’t fit the NDIS’s specific list of ‘eligible’ conditions. This is especially challenging for children with conditions like Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and ADHD, who can struggle just as much—or more—with everyday tasks but may not meet the strict criteria required to stay on the NDIS. Children with severe language and processing difficulties, for instance, face safety risks and daily hurdles, yet they often slip through the cracks simply because their disability doesn’t fit into an ‘automatic’ category.”
How to Prepare if Your Child’s Plan is Being Reviewed
If you know your child’s eligibility is being checked, here are a few things you can do now to be ready:
1. Update Reports and Assessments:
Collect recent reports from doctors, therapists, and educators. This can include anything that shows the ways your child’s condition impacts their day-to-day activities and learning. This doesn’t have to be a formalised assessment, though those can be helpful if available. Even a simple checklist comparing age-appropriate behaviours with where your child currently is can provide valuable insight. Reports that describe difficulties with basic recounts, following simple directions, or understanding their own environment can provide critical evidence.
2. Review Goals and Progress:
Think about what goals your child has worked on with the NDIS and how far they’ve come. If they’re still working on those goals or have new ones, jot down some notes to share. Encouraging connection between everyone who supports your child can make this process smoother. Creating a shared Google Drive file, for instance, allows you, therapists, teachers, and other supporters to add updates, see progress, or add goals. Apps like Thrivery offer similar collaborative features, providing a single place for everyone to keep track and stay in the loop.
3. Think About the Future:
Eligibility reviews are a great time to check in on what your child might need in the future. Maybe they’ll need new types of support at school or to get out to particular age appropriate activities they want to try. Knowing what’s ahead can help in planning with NDIS coordinators.
Who Can Help?
NDIS early childhood partners and Local Area Coordinators (LACs) are responsible for guiding you through the process and answer questions about eligibility. While these resources may not always fully understand every condition, they can still provide general support to ensure you’ve gathered the right documents and know what to expect. There are also some other avenues if you are having trouble with Bushkids or the LAC’s:
Support Coordinators:
Support coordinators assist in managing your NDIS plan by connecting you with appropriate services and ensuring your child’s needs are met. They can help gather necessary documentation, coordinate with service providers, and advocate on your behalf during eligibility reviews. There are MANY support coordination companies on the Sunshine Coast, try to find one that has a focus on the age and needs of your child.
Advocacy Services:
Advocacy services provide independent support to help you understand your rights and navigate the NDIS system. On the Sunshine Coast, several organizations offer such services:
• People with Disability Australia (PWDA): Provides individual advocacy services and can assist with NDIS-related issues. (Queensland Government)
• Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (QAI): Offers advocacy support for people with disabilities, including assistance with NDIS matters. (QAI)
• Sunshine Coast Citizen Advocacy: Connects individuals with disabilities to advocates who can support them in various aspects, including navigating the NDIS. (Queensland Country Life)
Takeaway
The NDIS is here to make sure kids get the right support, though the path may not always feel straightforward. For families navigating these reviews, organising thorough documentation and gathering clear, functional descriptions of your child’s challenges can help ensure that their needs are represented and understood.
