Children with mild to moderate autism and/or developmental delay make up a significant proportion of participants on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). While the scheme has provided many families with access to supports that their children need, a consequence has been the loss of alternative services for children who have developmental needs, but who are not the target group of the NDIS (that is, children and adults with significant, lifelong disability).

The recent NDIS Review concluded that there are insufficient disability supports available for people who are not eligible for the NDIS, compared to the level of need. Foundational Supports (FS) are specific supports that are outside the NDIS to help people with disability, and their families and carers; at this point, these supports will be known as “Thriving Kids”. General FS are intended to be available for all children and families and may include parenting information, capacity-building programs, and system interface support (e.g. navigator functions). Targeted FS provide individual capacity building via responsive and/or therapeutic supports. These may include individual, and group allied health therapy, supported playgroups, school readiness programs, and aids and equipment. It is important that the content of this new model is informed by the best available evidence.

To this end, the review aimed to identify evaluative studies of allied health models of care for children with mild to moderate autism and/or developmental delay currently being delivered in Australia and internationally in countries with similar health systems to Australia, summarise their effectiveness, and describe their key components to inform planning of these services in NSW.

Citation

Sutherland R, Hodge A, Boulton K, Dray J, Roberts J, Bulkeley K, Guastella A, Silove N. Interventions for children with mild to moderate autism spectrum disorder and/or developmental delay: an Evidence Check rapid review brokered by the Sax Institute (www.saxinstitute.org.au) for the NSW Ministry of Health, 2026. doi:10.57022/uygi658

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