19/05/2026
Hello Toodle-Loo Families!
You may have recently heard discussions about upcoming changes to children’s developmental supports and NDIS reforms, including a new program called “Thriving Kids”.
I wanted to share some information in a clear and family-friendly way, as many parents are understandably feeling uncertain or worried (I am also one of them!).
Firstly, I want to reassure families that there are NO immediate changes to your child’s current support.
Children who are up to 8 years old AND are currently enrolled in the NDIS (before 1 January 2028) with a developmental delay and/or autism with “low to moderate support needs” will be subject to reassessment under the OLD eligibility requirements (before 1 January 2028).
This means that reassessment criteria are still based on the existing NDIS requirements around age, residency, disability diagnosis and requirements, and/or early intervention requirements.
Once your child turns 9, however, they will be reassessed using the new eligibility framework based on functional capacity, permanence, support intensity, and whether they are considered “high support needs.” They may be continued on to the NDIS or may be transitioned on to the Thriving Kids program.
At this stage, many details are still being developed by the Federal and State Governments, so there are still many unknowns about exactly how the future system will work but we are anticipating Thriving Kids services will be beginning from October 2026 with full implementation expected by January 2028.
What you can do right now:
• Continue accessing your child’s current supports as usual
• Keep copies of reports, assessments, and therapy recommendations
• Document examples of how your child’s differences impact daily life, participation, communication, learning, friendships, regulation, or independence
• Keep notes about the supports your child needs at home, childcare, kindergarten, or school
• Attend plan reviews and appointments as normal
• Ask questions if you are unsure about reports or recommendations
• Focus on meaningful functional goals for your child (participation, communication, independence, wellbeing, relationships, regulation, etc.) and discuss how these goals can be addressed in therapy, at home, and at school/daycare/kinder.
• Build collaborative relationships with your child’s educators and support team
• Stay informed, but try not to panic — many details are still genuinely unknown and still being developed.
You can find information about Thriving Kids here: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/thriving-kids?language=en
Please know that I will continue monitoring developments closely and continue advocating for children, families, and accessible speech pathology supports.
Regardless of how funding systems evolve, my commitment remains the same:
to provide neurodiversity-affirming, family-centred, evidence-informed support that helps children communicate, participate, connect, and thrive.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out at [email protected].
Warmest regards,
Lou.
Thriving Kids is a national system of supports for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs, and their families, carers and kin.
