Mother sees merit in NDIS slower rollout

REBECCA Richardson sees some merit in delaying the NDIS’s rollout if it means others don’t have to experience the same ­inefficiencies she has.

Rebecca Richardson with 23-month-old Aurelia, who has Down syndrome, at their home in Seaton, South Australia. Picture: Kelly Barnes

AS the mother of a 23-month-old who has been part of the South Australian trial of the national disability insurance scheme, ­Rebecca Richardson sees some merit in delaying the scheme’s rollout if it means others don’t have to experience the same ­inefficiencies she has.

Yesterday’s National Commission of Audit report recommended implementation of the scheme — scheduled to be fully operational by 2018-19 — be delayed, warning there was a risk of inadequate delivery of services to participants as well as significant financial risks if the Abbott government adheres to the timetable.

Ms Richardson’s daughter, Aurelia, who has Down syndrome, receives speech, occupational, physio and hydro therapies, and some equipment through the scheme.

The Adelaide occupational therapist, 36, said she and husband Steven had expected some teething problems as trial participants, but she was concerned by the extent of some of the bureaucratic obstacles she had encountered. “I haven’t had any problems with the therapists — as someone who works in the field I’ve found that pretty seamless — but on the logistical side, there’s been a real lack of communication from the agency,” Ms Richardson said.

“I’ve spent a lot of the time I’m not at work making a multitude of phone calls. My daughter’s needs are low-to-medium. For parents with children with higher needs, who might also have other children to look after, I don’t know how they do it.”

Ms Richardson said she had experienced problems in obtaining equipment for Aurelia through the scheme.

“There’s a software program for reading and maths that’s regarded as being key for early intervention. I know people who had it under (previous scheme) Better Start, and we needed to go through so much more justifi­cation to get it under the NDIS.

“All the research done about early intervention shows it works, and the sooner kids get help, the better they’ll develop, so having to wait for administrative reasons doesn’t make much sense.”