14/02/2026
Update: petition link due to popular demand. Please help it get traction and send to colleagues etc
https://c.org/bf8QdZgZZM
THRIVING KIDS SUMMARY: Based on a couple of other threads in here there seems to be a few people unaware of the proposed changes coming and what they mean for teachers and schools.
Thriving kids proposes to remove children with autism and developmental delay from the NDIS and centralize supports through early childhood settings and schools.
Thriving Kids won’t just impact early intervention NDIS providers and allied health working in private practice. It will have a huge impact on early childhood teachers and school teachers.
If we look at current prevalence statistics in the Australian population:
Autism ~2.5%
Developmental delay ~8%
ADHD ~10%
So in any classroom of 25 kids there will likely be: 2.5 kids with ADHD, 2 kids with a developmental delay and 1 autistic kid in every second classroom.
Under the ECA NDIS (the current scheme) these children are eligible for individualised funding- approx. $20,000-$35000 per year between 0-6 years for therapy support prior to starting school. That's without a diagnosis. You don't need a diagnosis to access ECA- you never have. Just a delay in two or more developmental areas. It includes speech, OT, behaviour support, play therapy, psych, developmental educators and more. All tailored to the individuals goals and needs.
Under Thriving Kids from October 2026- these children will get very limited therapy (if any) from qualified allied health prior to school. Early childhood educators and school teachers will be expected to pick up the slack left by the Federal Government. The proposed funding allowance for Thriving Kids when divided between all the schools in Australia equals about $28,000 per school.
So in a primary school of 500 kids if there’s 40-45 kids in a school with developmental delay, ADHD, Autism- there will be an extra $622 per kid per year. It’s pitiful.
❌That’s not enough for more than one or two Speech or OT sessions.
❌Not enough for more inclusion support hours every day.
❌That’s not enough to train every early childhood teacher in early language development.
❌That’s not enough for another teacher aide in every classroom.
It’s a drop in the ocean
The supports they are currently talking about providing are a hotline, parenting courses, supported playgroups and if the needs are a bit higher maybe a couple of allied health sessions. All things that already are accessible and don’t make a difference in the development of these kids. Early intervention Therapy makes the difference.
If kids don’t get early intervention they will be coming to school more behind, more dysregulated and find it harder to learn and keep up. If kids can’t talk, sit, hold a pencil BEFORE school they won’t be ready to learn to read and write.
Thriving kids is NOT fair on teachers, early childhood educators and schools. It’s an insult. Teachers need more resources not more responsibility
They are framing it in the press as ‘mild to moderate’ autism will be the ones moved off the NDIS. Firstly there is no mild to moderate, secondly they are not just referring to Lvl 1 children. They are including lvl 2- who need a huge amount of support.
An example client that is diagnosed what they would call ‘moderate’ - Autsitic lvl 2, adhd, anxiety and PDA. This client was practically non verbal at 3 starting kindergarten relying on scripts and key word sign. Constant meltdowns, unable to do anything for himself, needed support in play, toileting, emotional regulation, fine motor, gross motor- many many areas.
This child is absolutely kicking goals in life and prep now from receiving his tailored NDIS support (weekly therapies) and a high level of Ed Support in the classroom…but I can tell you that without it he would be still only using key word sign and echolalia/scripts, struggling with toilet training and incontinence, social interactions, emotional regulation etc - and all of this will fall on the teachers.
Please join with disability advocates in saying no to thriving kids and consider contacting your union and MP’s. It’s a terrible idea for all involved.
I’m a teacher, mum to ND child and doing my masters in autism and neurodivergent studies to try provide PD and support for teachers that will actually help you. I know you’re overwhelmed already. If you have q’s about the thriving kids proposal I’m happy to do my best to try and answer them.
Teachers, Families, Allied Health & NDIS Professionals United — Say No to Thriving Kids
