Jigsaw Autism Services

03/02/2026

We’ve finally got a bit more detail on the Thriving Kids initiative, with the government publishing advice from the Thriving Kids Advisory Group.

So what was recommended?

🧒 A focus on better identifying children with developmental delays, including at early childhood centres and healthcare settings.

🧒Children and families should be able to access online advice, general information and potentially a national hotline.

🧒Parenting support programs should be available to help families support their kids.

🧒 Once developmental support needs are identified, Thriving Kids should offer multiple easy entry points so families can access timely support no matter where they begin.

🧒Children with more moderate support needs should be able to access more targeted supports, like allied health, assistive technology and help to navigate the system.

🧒Children with significant and permanent disabilities should still be able to access the NDIS.

The final design of Thriving Kids will be outlined in agreements with States and Territories. The gov expects these agreements to be finalised by the end of February. The Thriving Kids roll out will now start on 1 October 2026, finish by 1 January 2028.

Read more:https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-02/thriving-kids-advisory-group-final-report.pdf

21/01/2026

Exclusive: Experts also alarmed ICAN tool – a three-hour interview – may be conducted by people with no allied health background

17/01/2026

Taking drug in pregnancy does not raise chances of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability, ‘gold standard’ review finds

04/12/2025

Administrative review tribunal no longer authorised to alter a person’s plan or reinstate funding, agency confirmed

04/12/2025

A place for children and families to access free mental health, behavioural and developmental support.

That's what our new Central Coast Medicare Mental Health Kids Hub offers.

Located in Tuggerah, the hub’s multidisciplinary team supports children aged 0-12 years old.

We're investing more than $35 million to establish 4 Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs across NSW, in collaboration with the State Government.

For more information, call 02 4394 1799 or visit https://www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au/finding-help/kids-hubs.

04/12/2025

It’s hard to overstate the potential dangers of replacing discretion with algorithms in a system as consequential as the national disability insurance scheme

03/12/2025

Sweeping changes to the way National Disability Insurance Scheme support plans are generated criticised amid fears they amount to ‘robo-planning’

03/12/2025

EXCLUSIVE: Funding and support plans for national disability insurance scheme participants will be generated by a computer program and staff will have no discretion to amend them, under a major overhaul of the NDIS to be rolled out next year, Guardian Australia can reveal.

Under the changes, human involvement in deciding support for NDIS participants will be dramatically reduced.

03/12/2025

Today we celebrate International Day Of People With Disabilities! ✨

This year’s theme is ‘Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress’.

This theme emphasizes the importance of creating societies that are more inclusive, fair, and supportive of people with disabilities to help advance social progress for everyone. 💜

02/12/2025

The theme for the International Day of Disability highlights the impact of “Fostering disability inclusive societies”.
By providing “Meaningful participation in everyday activities and settings (home, childcare and preschool, school and wider community)” we can enable “children to learn, explore their interests, develop autonomy and a sense of belonging.”
But more than this “Inclusion and participation of all children is also vital to developing understanding and positive attitudes in peers, families and communities." Page 30 National Best Practice Framework
https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-09/national-best-practice-framework-for-early-childhood-intervention.pdf

24/11/2025

Did you know the Companion Card program helps make events and venues more accessible for people with disability?

The Companion Card allows people with disability attending a community activity to bring in their support person for free. Participating locations can include a range of cinemas, concerts, sporting events and theme parks.

To find out how to apply through your state or territory website, visit health.gov.au/our-work/companion-card

Image description:
An illustration of an identity card. The text reads ‘Companion Card’. Along the top is a series of colourful geometric shapes.

23/11/2025