Spike in NT kids signing up to the NDIS

TWO out of five people on the National Disability Insurance Scheme in the Territory are under the age of 15, shows new research

The rate of young Territorians on the NDIS has increased

TWO out of five people on the National Disability Insurance Scheme in the Territory are under the age of 15, shows new research.

National Disability Insurance Agency’s Quarterly Report, released this week, shows 17 per cent of Territorians with an approved NDIS plan were aged 0-6 and 22 per cent were 7-14.

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NDIS general manager of communications, media and marketing Jamie Lowe said in the April to June 2019 period in NT more than 1000 NDIS participants aged 18 and under had received the support, with one in four getting it for the first time.

Ms Lowe said the high participation rates were a positive.

“It is fantastic to see more Australian children than ever before receiving the supports they need to enhance their learning and development, grow in confidence, and engage more actively in their families, friendships and communities,” she said.

Ms Lowe said that after two years in the scheme, new data showed children aged 18 and under were experiencing improved outcomes under the NDIS.

“New figures show that children aged 0-6 have benefited, with 94 per cent of parents of children in this age group believing the scheme had led to an improvement in their child’s development in just two years,” she said.

“Eighty-five per cent of parents and carers of young children also said the NDIS had helped their child communicate about what they wanted.

“For school-aged children aged to 14, 65 per cent of participants said the NDIS had helped their child become more independent during their second year within the scheme, compared to 56 per cent in their first year.”