Speech Pathology Australia is calling on the federal government to ensure its profession is not left behind amid major changes to the NDIS. 

Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler indicated that from mid-2027, children aged eight and younger with mild-to-moderate developmental delay and autism would be provided foundational supports under the Thriving Kids program instead of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

But, Speech Pathology Australia recently made its message clear.

“No child with developmental delay or disability should fall through the cracks,” it stated in a media release.

“For Thriving Kids to succeed, speech pathologists must be central to the program’s design and delivery.”

The Commonwealth announced the initiative last month but is still working on the detail.

Speech Pathology Australia will write to Mr Butler, as well as colleague Jenny McAllister, to ensure their services are included under the Thriving Kids program.

Hunter Valley speech pathologist Emily Burgess admitted much had been made of the outrage of parents in response to the proposed changes, but therapists such as herself also faced a difficult transition.

“Moving to a focus on high-needs children sounds good in theory, but not necessarily from a therapist perspective,” she explained.

“It means our caseloads will be full of clients with high, complex needs who require intensive support.

“I expect therapist burnout to become far more common.” 

But, Ms Burgess said parents should be hopeful about the change.

“It is reassuring that they are still currently accepting kids who have two or more developmental delays without a disability diagnosis in the early intervention scheme,” she added.

However, Ms Burgess, like many in the allied health community, expressed concern at the speed at which the government expects the changes to roll out.

“We need to be people-first,” she said.

“A rushed scheme doesn’t seem to be the answer.”

• University of Newcastle journalism student Asher Gale

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