Nicki Powell

Did you know you can write your own NDIS goals? Whether for yourself or your child, you don’t have to rely solely on goals written by the NDIA or your Local Area Coordinator.

If you do choose to work with a Early Childhood Partner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) to write your goals, you can ask to see them before your plan is finalised. This gives you the chance to check that they reflect what’s actually important to you/your child and make any changes if needed.

I can support you with goal writing if you need it, but there are also plenty of free resources available online. What matters most is that the goals feel relevant and useful to your day-to-day life.

Remember, you know yourself, or your child, better than anyone else — so your goals should reflect that.

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Understanding Behaviour Support Practitioners: What You Need to Know!

Many parents are surprised to learn that Behaviour Support Practitioners (BSPs) are not always psychologists — and not all hold formal qualifications in psychology, behaviour science, education, or related fields.

Under the NDIS, a person can work as a Behaviour Support Practitioner if they are deemed suitable and are working toward the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework. This means:

✅ They may not be a psychologist
✅ They may not have tertiary qualifications
✅ Their experience can vary widely
✅ The quality of plans and support can differ greatly

Because of this, it’s crucial for parents to feel confident, informed, and prepared when engaging support for their child. Have your questions ready, know what to ask, and understand who is providing support.

What to look for in a Behaviour Support Practitioner:

🔹 Must be working under an NDIS Registered Provider if developing Behaviour Support Plans
🔹 Understands restrictive practices and reporting requirements
🔹 Makes you feel heard, included, and respected
🔹 Plans are individualised, practical, and focused on improving quality of life
🔹 Clear communication about billing for emails, calls, home visits, school visits, and other services

If you have questions or want guidance on engaging a Behaviour Support Practitioner, I’m always available to discuss.

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Today marks 3 years since I started this business, with one simple goal: to be the support I wish I'd had in those early days of my own child’s diagnosis.

What a journey it’s been!

Since then, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside so many incredible families and individuals. Each journey is unique, and I’ve been honoured to be part of each and every one.

Thank you to everyone who has trusted me, referred me, and shared this journey—it means the world.

The heart of my work will always remain the same: to nurture, support & empower every family I walk alongside.

Nicki x

To parents and carers of children with developmental delays or autism – this message is for you.

I know how much is on your shoulders: the appointments, the paperwork, the advocacy, the worry about what the future looks like. I’m living it too.

Right now, many families are feeling uncertain. The way autism and developmental delay are being spoken about at a policy level has created fear and confusion. We don’t yet have all the answers – but we do have our voices.

This morning I contacted Minister Mark Butler’s office, the NDIS Minister’s office, and my local MP, Zali Steggall, to raise my concerns. I encourage you to do the same. Parents and carers are the experts in their children’s lives, and our voices need to be part of this conversation.

You are not alone in this. There is a strong community of parents and carers working for the same goal: making sure our children have the supports they need and deserve.

NDIS Minister Mark Butler has announced the federal government will set aside $2 billion to create a program to support children with developmental delays and autism.

👉🏼 This means the government will provide $2 billion to fund a new program called Thriving Kids.

The program is aimed at

✔️ diverting hundreds of thousands of young children with mild to moderate developmental delays and autism from the NDIS by mid-2027.

🗣️ Mark Butler explained that many children entering the NDIS were being “over-serviced."

😓 It is putting financial strain on the scheme.

✔️ Minister Butler said that after Thriving Kids is operating, the NDIS eligibility criteria for children will change.

🚫 Children currently on the NDIS, or who join the NDIS before Thriving Kids rolls out, will not be automatically removed from the Scheme.

However, they will be subject to its usual arrangements, including reassessments.

📝 About the Thriving Kids program:

✔️ It expects to roll out from 1 July 2026

✔️ Jointly funded by federal, state, and territory governments

✔️ Changes to NDIS access will begin mid-2027

✔️ Training for GPs will be introduced to help them recognise child development delays

✔️ A new Medicare item for bulk-billed child development assessments

✔️ A new Medicare line item for allied health supports for children

🚨 The Minister rejected the suggestion that Thriving Kids was a move away from the NDIS Review’s recommendation to implement foundational supports.

💥 So will there be a Thriving Kids program and foundational supports?

🗣️ "No. This is the encapsulation of foundational supports for that first cohort," he says.

This means there will not be two programs.

Thriving Kids will be part of Foundational Supports for kids.

Read the live update here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-20/federal-politics-live-blog-aug-20/105673516

Australia's most common ADHD drug has had a spike in adverse event reports Australia's pharmaceuticals watchdog is investigating a spike in reports related to Vyvanse, the country's most commonly prescribed ADHD medication.

Parent Testimonial. Thank you Samantha!

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