NDIS Planning Meeting Tips for Australian Families

Navigating Your First Support Planning Meeting

Note: This guide focuses on the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) in Australia, but the principles apply to similar planning meetings in other countries, such as EHCP reviews in the UK or IEP meetings in the US.

If your neurodivergent child has recently been approved for disability support funding, congratulations — this is a significant step towards accessing the support they need. But if you're feeling overwhelmed about your upcoming planning meeting, you're not alone.

The planning process can be confusing, bureaucratic, and emotionally draining. This guide will help you prepare so you can walk into that meeting feeling confident and ready to advocate for your child.

What is a Support Planning Meeting?

A support planning meeting is a conversation between you and a planner to discuss:

Your child's current abilities and challenges
Their goals for the next 1-3 years
The supports and services they need to achieve those goals
How much funding should be allocated

The outcome of this meeting will determine your child's support plan — including the funding they receive for therapies, equipment, and support services.

Tip 1: Describe Your Child's Worst Day, Not Their Best

This is perhaps the most important piece of advice I give to parents.

When we talk about our children, we naturally want to highlight their strengths and achievements. But planners need to understand how your child's disability impacts their daily life — and that means being honest about the hard days.

What to Describe:

What does a meltdown look like for your child?
How much support do they need for daily tasks like eating, dressing, or bathing?
What challenges do they face at school?
How does their disability affect the whole family?

Example:

Instead of: "He's doing really well at school this year." Try: "On a bad day, he can't cope with the noise in the classroom and has to be removed. Last term, he was sent home three times because of meltdowns. His teacher has flagged concerns about his ability to keep up with his peers."

Tip 2: Come Prepared with Documentation

The more evidence you have to support your child's needs, the stronger your case for funding.

Documents to Bring:

Diagnostic reports from paediatricians, psychologists, or psychiatrists
Therapy reports from OTs, speech pathologists, or other allied health professionals
School reports including any Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or support notes
Letters from treating professionals outlining recommended supports
Your own written summary of your child's daily challenges and goals

Pro Tip:

Request updated reports from your child's therapists before your planning meeting. Ask them to specifically outline:

Current challenges and functional impacts
Recommended therapy frequency (e.g., "Weekly OT sessions recommended")
Specific goals and expected outcomes

Tip 3: Know What Supports to Ask For

Support plans typically divide supports into different categories. Understanding these can help you ensure nothing is missed.

Common Supports for Neurodivergent Children:

Capacity Building - Daily Activities

Occupational Therapy (OT)
Speech Pathology
Psychology
Support strategies

Capacity Building - Social & Community Participation

Social skills groups
Support workers for community activities
Holiday programs

Core Supports

Support workers for daily living tasks
Short-term accommodation (respite)
Transport assistance

Consumables

Continence products
Sensory equipment
Visual supports and resources

Be Specific About Frequency

Don't just say "OT" — say "Weekly occupational therapy sessions (48 sessions per year) to address sensory processing difficulties and fine motor skills."

Tip 4: Set Clear, Meaningful Goals

Your child's support plan will be built around their goals. These should be meaningful to your family and measurable enough that progress can be tracked.

Good Support Plan Goals for Neurodivergent Children:

"To improve emotional regulation and reduce the frequency of meltdowns at home and school"
"To develop self-care skills, including dressing independently and managing personal hygiene"
"To build social skills and develop meaningful friendships"
"To improve communication skills to express needs and wants effectively"
"To participate in community activities like sports or clubs with appropriate support"

Goals for Family Wellbeing:

Remember, planners also recognise the impact of disability on families:

"To access respite support so the family can recharge and maintain wellbeing"
"To reduce parent burnout through appropriate in-home support"

Tip 5: Bring Support to Your Meeting

You don't have to do this alone. Consider bringing:

Your partner or a family member
A support coordinator (if you have one)
An advocate from a disability advocacy organisation

Free Disability Advocacy Services in your area:

Check your local disability advocacy organizations
Parent advocacy groups in your area
Your state's disability advocacy service (e.g., ADACAS in ACT, QAI in Queensland)

Having someone else in the room can help you stay calm, remember important points, and provide moral support during what can be an emotional conversation.

What Happens After Your Planning Meeting?

After your meeting, your planner will develop your child's plan and send it to you (usually within a few weeks). The plan will outline:

Your child's goals
The funding allocated in each category
How the funding is managed (self-managed, plan-managed, or agency-managed)

If You're Not Happy with the Plan

If your child's plan doesn't include the supports they need, you have the right to request a plan review or lodge a formal appeal. Don't accept a plan that won't meet your child's needs.

You're Your Child's Best Advocate

The support system isn't perfect, and it can feel like an uphill battle. But remember: you know your child better than anyone. Your voice matters, and your advocacy makes a difference.

If you're feeling overwhelmed about navigating the support system, chat with Liora for guidance and support. We can help you prepare for meetings, understand your rights, and navigate the system.