01/02/2026
A gentle note of caution with regard to what is currently being reported in the media around autism, disability and NDIS and its connection to a very sad, confusing and confronting situation that has occurred.
The reporting of this incident has alluded to the demand on parents with children with disabilities AND autism and funding inadequacies.
As a psychologist and someone who has worked intensively with neurodivergent children and families for over 25 years I have been witness to the joy, the struggles, the changing language, improved research and understanding, the dedicated professionals AND the changes in funding models.
What happened in the current situation being reported is UNKNOWN. It is no doubt complex and nuanced. It is absolutely not black and white and it is likely that there were many contributing factors that will never be reported.
What I want to say is:
💙 Parenting is hard and there are many things other than disability, but including disability that make it harder
💙 Autism DOES NOT automatically equal disability
💙 Some people with autism have other diagnoses such as intellectual disability (also known as Intellectual Developmental Disorder) which changes the level of support they need.
💙 People with disabilities are as diverse and individual as people without disabilities.
💙 People with disabilities have the same rights as anyone else.
💙 People with disabilities are deeply loved by their families and networks.
💙 Disability is not the cause of such acts.
💙 People with disabilities bring enormous joy to those around them and it is unusual for parents to describe any of their children, disabled or not, as burdens. It is often people with little understanding of disability who form beliefs such as this because they have no lived experience of loving someone with a disability.
💙We are all vulnerable to disability, we are all ONE ACCIDENT or ONE MEDICAL episode away from experiencing disability or caring for someone with a disability
💙 We all have a responsibility to ensure that as a country we understand and advocate for funding models that support people with disabilities.
What can be burdensome for families is trying to navigate a system that has a poor understanding of disability, is often staffed by people without appropriate training in disability where decisions are made based on inaccurate interpretation of information. This is not about disability, this is about SYSTEMS.
The NDIS has been life changing for many, however it is problematic due to the privatisation of delivery of services by people who have little training in disability and who are running businesses for profit.
There is no case management model so families are often left without a skilled, trained individual who can support them to provide appropriate services, families and participants are left to take advice from those who are benefitting financially from providing services to clients and often have lack training in ethical delivery of services including professional boundaries and knowing when their service may not be the appropriate service for a client and knowing when to refer on.
We cannot view the current media reporting as accurate regarding the current situation as there are so many unknowns. The narrative is incredibly damaging to people with disabilities and their families.
No one is denying the difficulties that people with disabilities and their families experience, it is real and valid however let’s not create more distress by dehumanising people with disabilities who are actually dearly loved and wanted by their families and friends, deeply respected, wanted and cared about by their teachers, their therapists, and their carers JUST LIKE ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL.
If consuming media reporting is causing you distress, take a break. Turn off the news, don't read the social media posts (especially the comments) and do something that you know supports and comforts you.
If you are experiencing any distress please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or reach out to your current support network.
