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NDIS and Equipment to Support Learning and Development

Many items can be funded by the NDIS. You will need to work with your team from a NDIS provider to find out if anything might be useful, for your child, now and in the future. Speech Pathologists, Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists can help you

  • find the most appropriate item,
  • organise an equipment trial and
  • write a support letter to request for NDIS funds.

For NDIS the Assistive Technology items are classified into 

  • low-risk and 
  • high-risk items. 

Some of the low-risk items are available for trial and purchase through local retail stores while others are only available through specialist suppliers of disability equipment. For all items, your child’s NDIS provider is required to guide you about what is the most suitable product for your child before purchase. 

A child’s needs change quickly

A child’s equipment needs can change rapidly during their growing years because

  • they are growing and developing, 
  • of changes in their health,
  • of what they need to be doing during the day, and
  • they will become more independent.

When a child starts their childcare / preschool / school they might need another or different pieces of equipment to support them in their new learning environment. 

This means parents / carers and their team need to plan ahead. You should be thinking about what equipment might be useful 

  • as your child develops and 
  • what to ask for in the next plan.

It is recommended that you start this conversation early so that your NDIS provider team has enough time to 

  • assess your child’s needs, 
  • look for suitable options and 
  • organise a trial before the next NDIS plan review. 

This can be done using your child’s current NDIS funding or you can make a request for funding to be included in their next plan. 

Having all the information at hand will enable the NDIS team to add funds to your child’s next NDIS plan. This can all take some time, particularly if there are lots of items or if they are costly or complex.

Equipment is very individualised and based on 

  • the size of the child, 
  • their delay or disability, and
  • where they want to use it.
ndis and equipment

Every child and every family is different. Your feelings as you take the journey from noticing your child may have a delay, to diagnosis, and beyond may also be different from that of other parents. There is no right or wrong way to feel.

What to include in a plan.

You need time for:

  • Research for the best options for your child.
  • Measurement to ensure growth and changes can be accommodated.
  • Trial and selection of equipment with suppliers.
  • Reports, that are extremely detailed, from your provider.
  • Delivery and fitting of the equipment.
  • Safety instructions individualised for your child and support team.
  • Training for everyone who needs to know how to use it.
  • Checking on how the equipment is being used. 
  • Yearly maintenance/repairs funds.

Safety

Assistive technology must be reviewed once or twice a year to 

  • make sure it continues to meet the child’s needs, and
  • that it is being used correctly by all carers in different environments e.g. home / school. 

It is important that you notify your child’s NDIS provider of any wear and tear at the earliest or if your child has had a growth spurt and the AT needs to be adjusted. This is especially crucial for specialised strollers, wheelchairs, standing frames and walkers. If your child is growing rapidly reviews may need to be more often. This will need to be included in your plan funding. 

Your child’s NDIS provider can help prepare to apply for a new AT when the current equipment does not meet the child’s needs, or they have outgrown it.

Additional disability-related health supports are available to purchase using NDIS funding. The following list of fundable supports is not exhaustive, and supports may be delivered in a range of ways.

If you feel distressed thinking and reading about this topic,
talk to your GP or health professional. You can also call Lifeline on 131 114.