The Apoio Pulse – Issue 17

Exciting Developments - NDIS Early Childhood Intervention Age Expansion!

Cue the Confetti…. We are now only a month away from the date the NDIS expands its inclusion in the early childhood intervention services.

Starting July 1, 2023, the NDIS are extending the age range for NDIS early childhood support from 7 to 9 years of age. Their plan is that progressively over the next 2 years they will be including kiddos under 9 in NDIS early childhood intervention (ECI) support.

What this means is that NDIS participants turning 7 after July 1, 2023, will continue their journey with their early childhood partner until they reach 9. Those who turn 7 before this date well, they'll smoothly transition off the ECI services and onto the broader NDIS.

Before we summarise some other main points of this change, we want to give a bit of information about the difference in ECI and the broader NDIS.

Early Childhood Intervention is a concept within the NDIS that focuses on providing support and services to individuals with developmental delays or disabilities at an early stage in life. To be eligible for Early intervention children will typically be at risk of or have already shown signs of developmental delays or disabilities. The goal of early intervention is to identify and address these developmental concerns as early as possible to minimize their impact and promote optimal development. Early intervention services can include therapies, educational programs, counselling, and other forms of support tailored to the young individual's needs.

Broader NDIS is the full scheme that provides funding and support to individuals with permanent and significant disabilities across their lifespan. The NDIS may encompass early intervention services, but it also covers a wide range of other supports to enhance independence, participation, and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. In order to transition to the broader NDIS, participants must have a diagnosis and not just present with developmental delays.

So, because we are chasing our tail this week and respect you probably have work to complete before you head into your weekends, lets summarise all of this:

• Early intervention refers to support and services for individuals, particularly children, with developmental delays or disabilities.
• The NDIS is expanding the early childhood intervention age range over the next two years, progressively including children under 9.
• This change ensures ongoing support during and after a child's transition to primary school.
• Existing NDIS participants turning 7 after July 1, 2023, will continue with their early childhood partner until they turn 9.
• Participants with a diagnosis turning 7 before that date will transition to the broader NDIS as per the current process.
• New participants under 9 with a permanent disability will enter into the ECI and receive early childhood support.

The best part about all of these changes, there won't be any changes to eligibility requirements or the developmental delay definition. Kiddos under 6, with a permanent disability, developmental delay, or even some growing concerns, will keep receiving early childhood support without needing a diagnosis.

So, let's keep the high-fives flying, and the support rocking for all these incredible kids and NDIS participants.

Thanks for being the amazing providers that make dreams come true!