NDIS: Disability advocates urge angered parents to boycott Federal Government’s slashing of autism support

Disability advocates are urging parents to boycott the Federal Government’s new program for children with “mild autism” and developmental delay amid a growing backlash to the proposal. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler announced the sudden plan to strip NDIS support from tens of thousands of children, and move them onto a new Thriving Kids program from 2027, in a major speech this week. The move is aimed at reining in the ballooning cost of the $46 billion scheme, which was originally intended to assist around 410,000 people with a disability but now supports just under 740,000. In response to the announcement, the Regional Autistic Engagement Network and the Australian Neurodivergent Parents Association announced a national boycott of Thriving Minds. The groups also established a new community-led regulatory program, to be published next week, to assess early childhood and parenting programs. “Until programs provided under Thriving Kids meet these standards. . . they will be flagged as unsafe and subject to a nationwide boycott,” ANPA president Sarah Langston said. “Parents are already saying no, and we back them. If Minister Butler wants bums on seats, he needs to work for our approval — not the other way around.” Autism advocate Heidi La Paglia said Mr Butler’s use of phrases including “mild to moderate autism” was outdated, harmful and misinformed. “We need independent evaluation, genuine consultation with autistic people, and investment in supports that affirm — not erase — neurodivergence,” she said. Children and Young People with Disability Australia chief executive Skye Kakoschke-Moore said Thriving Kids had potential, but was sceptical of the government’s plan for it to be up and running in under a year. “The real families impacted by this announcement deserve to be heard, to see transparent decision-making, and to have certainty they won’t be left without support while the system is being cobbled together. “It’s also critical that any services delivered through Thriving Kids supports families to learn disability affirming approaches as their children grow and develop.” The Thriving Kids program is intended for children up to the age of nine, with “mild to moderate” developmental delay or autism. Ms Kakoschke-Moore said families were concerned about what would happen for older children. But she welcomed Mr Butler’s announcement that the government would look to bring occupational therapy and speech pathology under Medicare, but called for a longer rollout for Thriving Kids. Advocacy group Yellow Ladybugs surveyed families about the changes and said many were fearful of the future. WA Disability Services Minister Hannah Beazley, alongside her Queensland counterpart Amanda Camm and Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan, said on Thursday she was in the dark on the sweeping changes. Children currently enrolled in the NDIS, or who are enrolled before Thriving Kids is introduced, will remain on the scheme subject to reassessments. The roll-out will begin in mid 2026 and be completed over 12 months. Mr Butler has defended the plan to divert certain children from the NDIS to Thriving Kids, telling 7.30: “I just don’t think in the long-term, this (the NDIS) is the right scheme for kids with mild to moderate developmental delay or autism. (They) need a mainstream, broad-based system of supports available in a whole range of settings that they’re at very regularly to help their kids thrive, and that’s what I committed to delivering today.”