Topic Tuesday// NDIS, Disability & Mental Health// Tues 31st January 2023 5:30-7:00PM

[greenspace]

@MyLife_MyWay oh, that's awkward 😞 Your MP *should* still help his constituents, even ones who have publicly disagreed with his politics. Maybe you could write to him, saying that? Cos if you write to your MP, they have reply (although it might just be a form letter). And if an MP's staff contact the NDIA, they will respond to the MP.

[Sanity23]

Once approval has been made, is funding subject to annual review, for example if your condition deteriorates over time? Once you have NDIS funding, is it granted for life?

[AuDHDpug]

Thanks so much @greenspace
I've also heard it may be worthwhile working with an OT and going through the assessment process.
On that note, for my ASD diagnosis I not only went through the standard assessment with a Neuro-Psychologist, but opted to also undergo the Psycho-educational assessment and was provided with a report of findings.
I'm hoping that the new Clinical Psychologist I will be working with in the coming weeks can talk more to the application process and help me to piece it all together 🙂

[Former-Member]

@Sanity23 

The funding is subject to review on the basis of a plan length depending on the disability type - those disabilities which can change rapidly (motor neurone disease for eg) can have 3-6 month plans however those with stable issues such as mental health can have longer - i am personally on a 4 year plan. 

[MyLife_MyWay]

Thanks for the tip - I email him rather frequently and still do 🙂

[greenspace]

@chibam What services do you want? And do you mean paying for support services yourself? Because I know you can do that through HireUp. If you sign up as a client with HireUp, and you're self-funded, you can book support workers for help with meals, socialising, housework, therapy support, etc.

[chibam]

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@Former-Member wrote:

@chibam 

I have had a private psychologist since before the NDIS - it may be complex in finding services (it is for everyone) however in my experience that only lasts around 6 months while you get used to things. There are many private services out there however these will cost you money (private psychologist can be around $240 an hour for example. 

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@Former-MemberIn my experience, the psychologists I've interacted with were useless, as they did not do anything to fix the patients' real-life problems.

Previous material I've read lead me to believe that "psychosocial services" actually fix (or at least improve) their patients' real-life problems. i.e. They'll reassign a patient to a new home if their currant one is inappropriate; they'll give their unemployed patients a job; they'll stop a patient's bullying, ect.

[7cough9]

Q What support might someone accessing or applying to access NDIS need?  

@Wazzlord 

1. As a starter, a support coordinator / recovery coach - I was  on the NDIS for a year without knowing where to find services or how to get a service agreement. A support person with that background can get you started. 

Depending on your mental health issues, the supports you could seek through NDIS funding could include:

2. A transport allowance to fund taxis / rideshares or similar services.

3. A support worker to provide home-based, vid-chat or out-of-home sessions to either do things for you or encourage and facilitate you to learn and stretch yourself in doing things you need, from decluttering, to attending mental health services,  grocery shopping or exercising.

4. Domestic services like a periodic cleaner visit.

5. Capacity-building from professionals including occupational therapy or psychologists.

6. Funding for consumable and assistive technology, including noise cancelling headphones or a tablet for telehealth

7. funding for transport or attendance at facilitated social outings

 I am sure i forgot some things

[amber22]

Next question time...

The road to accessing NDIS is rarely an easy one. How can we take care of ourselves while navigating NDIS?  

@Former-Member 

[Former-Member]

Applying for the NDIS can often be a long and stressful process. Much of this can be around gaining appropriate evidence for access. In this area, it is important to have documented evidence and supportive professionals involved in the process including GPs, psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists and any support persons involved in your life.