The formulation of your NDIS plan primarily takes place during the planning meeting, but the phase leading up to this meeting is equally vital. You will want to approach your planning meeting with a good understanding of what you aim to achieve with your NDIS funding.
Preparation
Before the meeting you will need to think about your own specific goals, strengths and challenges so they can be considered at the meeting. At this point you should also gather reports and assessments from health professionals, educators, and therapists to help outline a comprehensive understanding of your autism-related needs.
Discussion
During the meeting, your planner or LAC will discuss you or your loved ones daily life, how your autism diagnosis affects you, and what kind of support you currently receive from your support network. The aim of this conversation is to identify the types of supports that would be most beneficial to you.
Setting goals
One of the key aspects of the meeting is setting goals. Your goals are a measurable aspiration for what you want to achieve with your NDIS funding. You should set long term and short term goals and they can be adjusted at any time.
Everyone’s goals will vary and depend on your unique circumstances but you may find some are similar to others and it’s ok to get inspiration from peers.
Determining supports
Based on the discussion of your needs and the goals you have set for yourself, your planner or LAC will help to identify the types of supports that could be included in your NDIS plan to help you to reach them. This can range from therapeutic supports (like speech therapy or occupational therapy) assistance with daily activities, equipment and technology needs, and supports for social and community participation.
Plan management
Your meeting will also cover how your plan will be managed. There are three main options for plan management including self-managed, plan-managed usually by a third party or NDIA managed.
Review process
During the meeting you will discuss how and when your plan will be reviewed. This will depend on how often your needs are likely to change but usually a review happens every 12 months. Your review ensures that your plan continues to meet your needs and gives you the opportunity to adjust any supports if necessary.
Finalising the plan
Once your plan is finalised it will need to be reviewed and approved by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). Once your plan has been approved, you can start accessing the funded supports.
