Dan* builds his confidence with NDIS support

Published On: 28 May 2019Categories: NDIS, News

Like many boys his age, Dan* has a wild imagination and a love of superhero stories.

Marvel characters are Dan’s favourite and his Guardians of the Galaxy action figures are a source of great comfort when he feels anxious.

Dan has autism, which can impact the way he interacts with other kids his age.

“Dan is a funny and quirky kid,” said his mother Jennifer*.

“He comes across as quite reserved and can struggle to read social cues.”

Seven going on eight, Dan attends mainstream school with in-class support.

When the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) arrived in Brisbane in 2018, Dan’s parents applied for the Scheme and were accepted.

The family received early intervention funding when Dan was younger, which meant he needed to transition to the NDIS when he turned seven.

Jennifer said the NDIS had enabled the family to access highly specific therapies and supports which suit Dan’s needs.

“We thought when Dan turned seven that we wouldn’t be able to access any funding, which would be a significant financial challenge for us.”

“The NDIS coming in soon after has meant that Dan sees an occupational therapist weekly to help him with fine and gross motor skills, and a speech therapist to help with his communication.”

“Now we can access these services with confidence because the financial burden has been taken off and can explore our options and see what is really working,” she said.

Jennifer hopes that Dan can use his NDIS support to build skills to become more socially active and involved in the community.

“Dan’s goals are around better inclusion. He is able to become more socially aware and more capable to maintain relationships to his peer group, and building the physical capability to do that.”

The family is assisted on their NDIS journey by the Carers Queensland NDIS Local Area Coordination Partners in the Community Program for the Brisbane region.

“I came in and had a meeting with my LAC Louise and it was so easy.”

“It’s been a really good experience. Louise has kept in contact throughout to check in on me and see if I am okay with everything.”

“I’ve been so impressed with how we have been treated as a family through that process and couldn’t be happier,” she said.

 

*Names have been changed for privacy reasons.