The Assessment Process for Funding - What You Need to Know
If you’re wondering how the whole assessment and funding thing works, you’re not alone.
Once you break it down, it’s not so bad.
Step 1: Meeting with You – The Parent or Guardian
The first thing that happens is a chat with you.
It’s all about getting to know your child and your family.
The therapist will ask about your child’s background, any concerns you have, and what you want to achieve with therapy.
It’s pretty relaxed, just a chance to talk about what’s going on and what’s important to you.
Step 2: Meeting Your Child
This part is all about getting a feel for what’s going on with your child in real-time.
Based on what’s been talked about in that first meeting, the therapist will decide what kind of assessments are needed.
These might include things like:
- Speech and language assessment
- Communication skills check
- Social skills review
- Motor skills test (if it’s an OT)
- Sensory processing check (also for OTs)
It’s all about finding out what areas need some extra help, so the therapist will pick the assessments that make the most sense for your child.
Create a Sense of Community
Foster a sense of community with your team and those you serve.
Show that everyone involved is part of a supportive, caring network. - Gabby
Step 3: Doing the Assessment(s)
Now, the therapist gets down to the formal stuff. They’ll do some assessments with your child, which might involve some tests.
It’s not anything scary, just standard ways of checking how your child is doing with different skills like talking, moving, or interacting with others.
Sometimes it takes just one session, sometimes it’s a couple, depending on how your child reacts and what’s needed.
The idea is to gather the information needed to get the right support for your child.
Step 4: Writing the Report
After the assessments, the therapist writes up a report.
This is where things get official. The report will include:
- A summary of your child’s current abilities
- Areas where they might need more support
- Recommendations for what therapy or help they might need
- Why your child qualifies for NDIS funding
It’s pretty straightforward, but the therapist’s job is to be clear about what your child needs and why.
That way, the NDIS has everything it needs to make a decision about funding.
Step 5: What If You’re Worried About the Report?
Sometimes, the report might sound a bit clinical, and we get it – it can feel a little cold or even negative.
But here’s the thing: the language is really there to make sure your child gets the funding they need.
The report isn’t about focusing on what your child can’t do – it’s about showing where they need a bit of extra help.
If it sounds a bit too formal or technical, no worries – the therapist will explain everything.
It’s all part of making sure your child gets the support that’s right for them.
And trust me, this is just the first step to making sure your child gets what they need.
Tailor Techniques to Individual Strengths
Each person has strengths that can be used to their advantage.
When planning therapy, consider their strengths and how you can build on them.
This personalized approach will make therapy more effective. - Laura-Jane
Step 6: Sending the Report to NDIS
Once the report is done, it’s time to send it to NDIS.
They’ll use the report to figure out what support your child needs, how much funding they’ll get, and whether any extra assessments are needed.
The NDIS will look at everything and decide the best way to allocate the funding.
It’s all about getting your child the right services.
Step 7: Feedback and Adjustments
After the report is sent off, the NDIS might come back and ask for more info.
If they do, your therapist might need to provide a bit more detail or clarification.
But don’t stress - this is normal, and your therapist is there to help you through it.
And don’t forget, you’ve got support from your Local Area Coordinator (LAC).
They can help you with any questions or concerns about the process.
Plus, your therapist can break everything down into simple terms if you’re not sure about something.
Important to Remember
- The assessment process is a really important part of getting the right funding for your child.
- The report may sound clinical, but it’s not about focusing on what your child can’t do. It’s about showing where support is needed.
- The whole process is personalised to your child – it’s not a one-size-fits-all thing.
Breaking Down Complex Goals
Achieving a big goal starts with breaking it down into smaller, manageable steps.
For example, if returning to work is the goal, the focus should be on each part of the day that affects this process, from getting up to getting to work.
By addressing the details one by one, real progress can be made without feeling overwhelmed. – Carly
Why Does the Language Sound So Clinical?
Sometimes the language used by therapists can feel a bit uncomfortable.
It’s not about making things sound bad; it’s all about getting the funding in place for your child.
The NDIS needs that formal, clinical language to approve funding, but it doesn’t mean your child isn’t amazing or capable.
You’re the advocate here – you’re the one making sure your child gets what they need.
Think of it like being side-by-side with your therapist in this process.
The therapist is just helping make sure the funding gets through smoothly.