What therapeutic supports will the NDIS fund?

Many NDIS participants will have some sort of therapeutic supports in their NDIS Plans. “Therapeutic supports” is a phrase that covers many types of supports delivered by a range of different providers.

Collectively, therapeutic supports are those that help improve functional skills and independence.

They’re supports that assist with all the activities of regular, daily life like personal care, moving around, communicating with others, building good relationships and participating in the community.

Therapeutic supports and your NDIS Plan.

Therapeutic supports can fall under several different NDIS budgets within the Capacity Building budget category.

Improved Daily Living.
This budget provides funding for therapists to work collaboratively with you to improve independence, participate more confidently in the community and achieve your goals. When you hear the term therapeutic supports, they most often fall into this category.

Improved Health and Wellbeing.
This budget covers consultations from exercise physiologists, personal trainers and dietitians.

Improved Relationships.
Therapies in this budget are mainly related to behavioural interventions and social skills development.

Types of therapeutic supports funded by the NDIS.

The types of therapeutic supports the NDIS will fund depend on your individual needs and goals. They may be provided in an individual or group setting, at home, another location or online.

We have summarised some of the supports available under the Improved Daily Living budget below.

Assessment and support by a nurse:

• Care, training or supervision of a delegated worker or support person to respond to complex care needs (when care is not the responsibility of the health system)
• Must be delivered by a registered nurse as a one-on-one support.

Counselling:

• Support to aid self-knowledge, emotional acceptance and growth
• Development of personal resources to help you work towards your goals.

Community engagement assistance:

• Supports that empower you to improve social interactions
• Supports to participate in community groups to help you achieve goals, gain insight into your life and make informed decisions.

Community nursing for continence aids:

• Continence aids assessment, recommendation and training support by a registered nurse.

Therapy assistants:

• Therapeutic support by an allied health assistant working under the supervision of a therapist.

Assessment, recommendations, therapy or training:

• By a psychologist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist or other suitably qualified allied health professional
• Assessments for assistive technology supports.

Dietitian consultation:

• Advice for managing health and wellbeing due to the impact of your disability which may include the development of a Diet Plan.

Exercise physiology:

• Provision of advice regarding exercise required due to the impact of your disability.

Who provides therapeutic supports?

Most NDIS funded therapeutic supports are provided by a qualified allied health professional such as an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, dietitian or speech pathologist. They can also be provided by a registered nurse. The important factor here is that the person needs to be qualified in their field.

How do therapeutic supports work?

In most cases, the provision of therapeutic supports will involve an initial consultation to talk about your support needs, abilities and goals. You may also be asked to complete certain activities or answer questions to help the therapist conduct an adequate assessment of your needs.

A plan will then be developed to help you achieve your goals. This may include hands on therapy, regular appointments, activities for you to do at home and/or advice for making lifestyle adjustments.

Specific examples of therapeutic supports.

• Working with a dietitian to improve your overall wellbeing including support with menu planning and meal preparation
• Having a nurse come in to teach a support worker or you how to apply bandages that you need to use regularly.

Leap in! can help.

The Leap in! Crew is here to help. Give us a call on 1300 05 78 78, email us at crew@leapin.com.au or chat with us online on our website (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).

Further Reading

What does the NDIS pay for? Everything you need to know.

How exercise physiology can help with your NDIS goals.

Getting back to nature with garden therapy.