One of the first steps towards your NDIS journey is getting the correct disability diagnosis. This will be the starting point of your NDIS plan as your goals, supports and services will be linked to your diagnosis. Even the approval of your funding by the NDIA is linked to your disability as it will see how it impacts your life-thus making it reasonable and necessary. Missing out on the correct diagnosis may mean not getting the correct services and support you need. Diagnosis should come from a qualified health professional and their qualification should be related to your disability. You will be asked to give information about your disability, and the challenges of each task you encounter. In the event that you have an incorrect or incomplete diagnosis, this will cause further delay to your application as the NDIA will require more information from you.
Evidence of Disability
This is proof of your disability and the health professional treating or managing you should fill out the standardized form assessment form from the NDIA. This document should not only stipulate the impacts of your disability but how likely it will become permanent. But the good news for this year, the burden of proof will no longer be a daunting task on your end as this change will require a third party to do your assessment. This means that you no longer have to seek an assessment from the health professional managing or treating you but rather, it will be from another health professional who is also qualified and an expert about your condition. Their assessment will then be the basis of the NDIA for your supports and services. This change is a massive help on your end as you no longer have to gather evidence of your disability yourself. The aim of this change is also to make the NDIS funding faster, easier, and accessible to everyone.
Below is the range of disabilities that are supported under the NDIS but are not limited to :
Intellectual Disability
· Shows challenges in terms of mental capacity which impacts learning curve
· includes Down Syndrome which is the most common cause of intellectual disability.
Developmental Delay
· applies to children 0-5 years old, where the development is not at par with his/her age
Autism
· Is an umbrella term for neurodevelopmental conditions. The person is having difficulties in terms of communication, social interaction, expressing and processing emotions and the likes.
Psychosocial disability
· A disability due to mental health issues like schizophrenia, anxiety disorders (OCD, PTSD, agoraphobia, mood disorders bipolar, and major depression.
Cerebral Palsy
· A condition caused by damage to the brain either before or after birth. This affects condition affects muscle movement and coordination, body movement, posture, and balance.
Acquired Brain Injury
· Is brain damage caused after birth.
Hearing impairment
· Loss of hearing due to damage in one or more parts of the ear.
Visual impairment
· Loss of sight from birth or acquisition. Partial or total.
Multiple Sclerosis
· Condition where the brain nerve cells and spinal cord are damaged. This impacts the person’s ability to obtain balance, control, and other basic functions.
Stroke
· Due to poor blood supply to the brain which limits the person’s ability to move, speak and perform other mobility-related functions.
Spinal Cord Injury
· Damage to the spinal cord resulting in loss of muscle function, sensation, and the likes.
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