Raw & Moore Occupational Therapy

22/10/2024

It is National OT Week!

The theme for this year is Celebrating 80 Years of Connection as we mark 80 years since the formation of the first Occupational Therapists Club in Australia!

Take a look at our website to see the fabulous OT we have working at Raw and Moore!

https://rawandmoore.com/our-team/

16/09/2024

Changes to NDIS Legislation

The NDIS have just released that the NDIS legislative changes come into effect 3rd of October 2024. Participants may see changes in:
- How their eligibility is assessed
- The supports that can be funding by the NDIS (the lists)
- How their plans are managed
- How they funding is allocated and needs to be spent
- Requirements for information gathering for eligibility re-assessment
- Plan durations to increase
- Funding in the allocated plan will indicate how long it needs to last and participants cannot spend more funding than what's available in their plan.

This information and further information can be obtained from:

On 22 August 2024, the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment

23/03/2024

“Neurodiverse” refers to a community of people whose members are neurodivergent.

Neurodiversity is an approach to education and ability that supports the fact that various neurological conditions are the effect of normal changes and variations in the human genome. ADHD, Autism, Dyspraxia, and Dyslexia all fall within the spectrum of “Neurodiversity” and are all neurodiverse conditions. Neuro-differences are recognised and appreciated as a social category similar to differences in ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or ability. For example, a neurodivergent condition such as dyslexia is an integral part of a person. To take away their dyslexia is to take away from the person.

22/03/2024

Dyslexia primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling. It's estimated around 20%, or one to five children in every Australian classroom has mild, moderate, or severe dyslexia. Whilst it is often regarded as a learning difference, many are not aware of the unique skills that come with having dyslexia for example strong visual, creative and problem solving skills. Some people are born with dyslexia, but others develop dyslexia later in life, usually as a result of damage to the brain. This is known as ‘alexia’.

21/03/2024

Dyscalculia affects your ability to acquire and use mathematical skills. For some people, it affects how they see numbers. For others, it might make symbols difficult to read, or they may have trouble understanding finances and using numbers in everyday life. People with dyscalculia often have strengths such as intuitive and strong strategic thinking, are very creative and have a love of words. Some people are born with dyscalculia, others acquire it after a stroke, or head injury, or as a result of another neurological condition. When it is acquired, it is known as ‘acalculia’.

20/03/2024

DCD affects people’s movement and their motor skills. Whilst it is often regarded as a learning difference, many are not aware of the unique skills that come with having DCD, typically many people with DCD have a great sense of empathy and understanding of others, are highly motivated and are great at problem-solving. Lots of people don’t know that they have DCD until they get a formal diagnosis in adulthood, but it’s thought that roughly 3-5% of the population have some form of DCD (Kirby, 2018). There is no known cause of DCD. Some people are born with it, but DCD can also be a side effect of damage to the brain after a stroke, head injury or as a result of another neurological condition. This is known as ‘apraxia’.

20/03/2024

ADHD is a neurodifference that affects an estimated 5-10% of children and 3-4% of adults worldwide. It is characterised by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with daily functioning. Research suggests that males are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than females, although some studies suggest that this may be due to differences in how the ADHD is presented rather than actual prevalence rates. It is important to note that many individuals with ADHD possess a unique range of strengths and talents.

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17/03/2024

We’re proud to be supporting Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2024! 🌟
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences.

25/02/2024

Recommendation 26
'Make sure changes are fair and easy for everyone'

The development and implementation of a roadmap that factors in critical dependencies and risks will be required to ensure a smooth transition for existing participants. It has been suggested that this should be developed by the NDIS review implementation working group in partnership with the disability sector, the commonwealth and state and territory agencies with implementation responsibilities.

Suggested Actions
*Legislative change required for implementation
26.1 National Cabinet should agree and publish an implementation roadmap.
26.2 The National Disability Insurance Agency should ensure existing participants
experience a smooth and fair transition to the new participant pathway.
26.3 The new NDIS Review Implementation Working Group should coordinate
communications across relevant agencies to regularly update and inform
stakeholders on implementation progress.

*All information taken from document 'Working together to deliver the NDIS - NDIS Review: Final Report'

22/02/2024

Recommendation 25
'Plan changes to the law'

A suite of legislative changes will be needed to underpin reforms. Some of our proposed reforms will require changes in relevant legislation. We expect a package of amendments to primary legislation and associated legislative instruments will be required. This will include changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme
Act 2013 and NDIS Rules to deliver improvements to the participant pathway. As with all reforms, these legislative changes should be effectively coordinated across government and done in close consultation with the disability community.

Suggested Actions
*Legislative change required for implementation
25.1 The Department of Social Services, with input from the National Disability
Insurance Agency and NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, should review
the recommendations from this Review and develop a proposed package of
legislative reforms.
25.2 The Department of Social Services should undertake deep public consultation and engagement on proposed package of legislative reforms.

*All information taken from document 'Working together to deliver the NDIS - NDIS Review: Final Report'

21/02/2024

Recommendation 24
'Plan how to make the changes'

Implementation of the recommendations which have been highlighted in the report should be guided by lessons from the past. The transition will take time and require careful sequencing. All governments need to work together in new ways to deliver these recommendations, learning from the experience of incomplete or inadequate implementation of previous reviews’ recommendations. A well-coordinated national effort is required to deliver these changes. It has been highlighted that once the changes have been adopted or legislated they will occur over a 5 year transition period. Existing participants must experience a smooth and fair transition with whichever recommendations are implemented to ensure that they continue to receive the support they require.

Suggested Actions
*Legislative change required for implementation
24.1 The Disability Reform Ministerial Council should agree architecture to support
implementation and delivery of the NDIS reform agenda.
24.2 The new NDIS Review Implementation Advisory Committee should report to the
Disability Reform Ministerial Council every six months or as needed.
24.3 The new NDIS Experience Design Office should commission agile projects to design and test reforms to the participant pathway.

*All information taken from document 'Working together to deliver the NDIS - NDIS Review: Final Report'

20/02/2024

Recommendation 23
'Learn about what works'

The NDIS currently supports over 610,000 participants though a $35 billion investment in 2022-23. Such a significant investment that has such a large impact on the lives of Australians should be backed up by a rigorous commitment to evidence-based practice, evaluation and continuous improvement. Measurement of participant, social and economic outcomes are poor and the NDIS outcomes framework is not fit for purpose.

There are concerns that NDIS participants are able to access therapies that may not be able to demonstrate evidence based high quality outcomes for people with disability and in some cases cause harm. Significant NDIS policy and operational decisions are not made on a transparent and independent basis.

Suggested Actions
*Legislative changes required for implementation
23.1 National Cabinet should agree to replace the current NDIS Outcomes Framework with a new Disability Support Outcomes Framework.
23.2* The Department of Social Services, in consultation with the National Disability
Insurance Agency, the new National Disability Supports Quality and Safeguards
Commission and the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority,
should establish and manage an NDIS Evidence Committee to provide guidance on
reasonable and necessary disability supports.
23.3* The Department of Social Services should establish a new Disability Research and Evaluation Fund to coordinate and fund research and independent evaluation activities.
23.4 All Australian governments should agree to jointly invest in actions to improve disability data quality and sharing.
23.5 The Australian Government should ensure that all disability reporting mechanisms facilitate the collection, analysis and publication of intersectional indicators.

*All information taken from document 'Working together to deliver the NDIS - NDIS Review: Final Report'

19/02/2024

Recommendation 22
'All systems have workers who understand disability and put people first'

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards
Commission (NDIS Commission) play critical roles as delivery and regulatory agencies
of the NDIS. Staff working in these agencies require extensive skills to work with
each individual and their supporters in a way that is person centred, strength based,
trauma informed, disability aware, and acknowledges the inherent dignity and unique
individuality of each person. Further work on the culture and capability of the NDIA and the current NDIS Commission is needed to regain the trust of the community and to ensure positive experiences for those living with a disability.

Suggested Actions
*Legislative change required for implementation
22.1 When undertaking capability reviews, the Australian Public Service Commission
should have regard to the capacity, capability and culture of the National Disability
Insurance Agency, National Disability Supports Quality and Safeguards Commission,
and Department of Social Services to deliver relevant reforms.
22.2 The National Disability Insurance Agency and the new National Disability Supports Quality and Safeguards Commission should publish culture and capability plans every two years, supported by independent audits and staff, participant and
stakeholder surveys.
22.3* The Australian Government should re-design the Participant Service Guarantee
to prioritise high quality, transparent and efficient decisions and improved
participant experience.
22.4 The Disability Reform Ministerial Council should agree measurable culture and
capability outcomes as part of new funding arrangements.

*All information taken from document 'Working together to deliver the NDIS - NDIS Review: Final Report'

18/02/2024

Recommendation 21
'Clear information about roles'

Responsibility for financial sustainability of the NDIS is shared and invested in by all governments on behalf of all Australians. It sustainability is essential to maintain community support and ensure it can deliver for those who need it now and in the future. The current approach to forecasting the NDIS into the future, undermines credibility, which leads to ongoing questions about scheme sustainability, and cause uncertainty and anxiety for people living with disability, families and carers. This is because the commentary on the schemes sustainability has almost exclusively focused on costs and not the other outcomes which the scheme provides.

The agencies which have been involved in administered the NDIS have not been set up for success, including the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. There is a lack of clarity around policy and administrative responsibilities across government agencies, resulting in gaps, duplication and inefficiencies. The NDIA decision making is guided by government agreements, legislation and subordinate regulation, operational guidelines and informal policy guidance. The lack of transparency and consistency with decision making in NDIA decision making around access and reasonable and necessary supports, which is impacting on participants.

Suggested Actions
*Legislative change required for implementation
21.1* National Cabinet should be accountable for the sustainability of the unified disability ecosystem, including the NDIS.
21.2* The Department of Social Services, in consultation with state and territory governments should review existing National Disability Insurance Agency guidelines to identify and prioritise opportunities to strengthen the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 and Rules.
21.3 The Australian Government should ensure that the Minister responsible for the NDIS remains a Cabinet Minister
21.4* The Australian Government should clarify roles of relevant agencies for administration market stewardship, pricing, policy, regulation, commissioning and legislation.

*All information take from document 'Working together to deliver the NDIS - NDIS Review: Final Report'