Characteristics of children attending an autism specific early learning and care setting prior to and following introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

NATIONAL Disability Insurance Scheme (Australia); INFANT care; CHILD care; HEALTH services accessibility; FUNCTIONAL status; DISABILITY insurance; FAMILIES; MENTAL health; COGNITION; LEARNING; COMPARATIVE studies; AUTISM; QUALITY of life; GOVERNMENT aid; PEOPLE with disabilities; EARLY medical intervention; CHILDREN

The rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has transformed the Australian funding landscape for individuals with disability and their families. This study examined whether the profiles of autistic children and their families accessing an early intervention (EI) setting have changed following its introduction. The cognition and behavioural profiles of children funded under the NDIS (n = 58) were compared to children who had received block government funding (n = 58). Parental mental health and quality of life (QoL) outcomes were compared. Children presented with similar baseline cognition, functional abilities and autism behaviours at intake into EI irrespective of funding type. While parental QoL was similar across groups, parents funded by the NDIS reported significantly higher stress and depression levels. The current findings suggest that modifications to the NDIS framework may be necessary to extend benefits beyond the individual living with disability to foster the health and wellbeing of their primary carers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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