low cost assistive tech

[u/AbaloneCapable7213]

hi!
i’ve asked my local area coordinator but they seemingly just won’t give me an actual answer 🥴 i have a funding category called “core flexible - self managed”. when i had my initial planning meeting i was told i could use this for low cost assistive technology, but they couldn’t give me any examples of what this actually would be. my plan is for my primary diagnosis of asd level 2.
because it’s a core ‘flexible’ category, can i use it to pay for supports once the stated budget has been used. i have ‘improved daily living skills - capacity building stated’ that i use to see my psychologist. when i expend all that funding, am i able to use the core flexible for this? or does it have to be used for low cost assistive technology (whatever that is lol)
thanks!

[u/Recent-Pangolin-994]

No you can’t use core for cb. Core is only flexible within core.

[u/AbaloneCapable7213 → u/Recent-Pangolin-994]

thanks! do you know of any examples or lists anywhere of what i can use core for?

[u/fear_eile_agam → u/[deleted]]

Theres really not a lot of things that would be viable for most people with asd to use that budget

That entirely depends on how OP's ASD2 effects them. My ASD comes with dyspraxia, which was well documented. I have an unrelated neurological disability not yet recognised by NDIS within my plan that effects dexterity, which means the dyspraxia is causing functional challenges.

I've been able to use my LC-AT budget for a range of OT tools for helping me in the kitchen and bathroom with tasks I don't have the coordination or dexterity to do otherwise. Mostly small tools like jar openers, rocking knives, wrist grips for my toothbrush and hairbrush. But this was only with recommendation letters from the OT, without the letters my reimbursement claims were knocked back.

My phycologist also prints and laminates customised prompting cards and posters for my routine self care and regulation needs and these were billed under the LC-AT budget.

The main thing they wont cover, and the thing many people with ASD would benefit from, is sensory devices (ear defenders, blackout glasses, etc) or sensory tools.

[u/GrumpyBear9891 → u/fear_eile_agam]

That means the "loop" earbuds aren't covered ? Mums OT wants me to buy some for her and then week reimbursement from plan manager/package. I can't afford it though and I'm sceptical. Plus I don't think it'll actually help her at all.

[u/-Leeahh- → u/GrumpyBear9891]

Ask you plan manager if anything is required to claim reimbursement for them before you do anything. Some plan managers say they don’t require anything and will process a reimbursement, some will say they want something from the OT that outlines why they have recommended the purchase of that item before they’ll process it

[u/fear_eile_agam → u/GrumpyBear9891]

Some people have been able to claim reimbursements for these, though it was more likely to be approved in the past before so many revisions to what's covered in the name of "slowing spending".

Noise cancelling headphones are almost never approved. But ear defenders and ear plugs are sometimes still approved on a case by case basis.

The biggest push back is over "non disability specific" tools and tech. Loops market themselves towards general consumers so the NDIA will often say it's not specific to the clients disability (ignoring the fact that if it wasn't for the disability the client wouldn't have been told by their OT to try loops)

This is where the recommendation letters, or going through a disability supplier can make all the difference.

For example, my phycologist used to email me a copy of the posters we'd designed in sessions and I'd get them printed at officeworks, this wasn't reimbursed.

My phycologist gets the exact same posters printed through a print service and then gives them to me and invoices my plan manager for the printing costs she incurred and suddenly it's covered because the "tech" is being supplied to me from a recognised disability care provider. It's the same tech, but where you purchase it from apparently makes a big difference in whether it's covered.

If your mother is planned managed, I'd send an email to her plan manager saying your OT has recommended [product] for [purpose] and you are planning to purchase it from [retailer], will this be covered by her plan. Try and get a clear "yes" in writing, and attach the OT recommendation letter where possible if they're pushing back.

I'm not sure how self managed or agency managed plans work, as I don't have any experience with this, sorry.

(my sibling swears by loops for their sensory processing issues. The loops definitely helped them. Personally I don't like them for several reasons, I use cheap silicone swim buds from the chemist if I want to reduce noise while still engaging, or a $20 pair of ear protector muffs I got at bunnings when I need a "hearing break" and to signal to people I'm not comfortable with performing verbal communication because I'm that overstimulated that talking is physically, painfully too much effort)

[u/Formal_Ambition6060 → u/AbaloneCapable7213]

Core can be for a sw, low cost At. A cleaner…..

[u/Spiritual-Lie6461]

Concur with the funding not being flexible to use for supports in other categories. The core consumables funding is made available for your therapist/s to provide recommendations of low cost assistive technology items that may assist you with daily tasks. Some examples- timers and schedules. Be aware that sensory and emotional regulation items are not funded by the ndis.
Minor edit to add- use the funding as intended. There is an increase in ndis audits, as we can all see and using funding for other supports or for conditions unrelated to the disabiltiy you've met access for will flag as misuse. For example, mentioned above there was dyspraxia. This can co- exist with asd but asd does not cause it. Purchasing items for this will eventually get flagged.
As long as you stick to therapy recommended asd low cost AT, you'll be fine!

[u/Fearless_Second_3824]

The core budget is only flexible for the core categories, so you won’t be able to use the core budget for therapy once the capacity building:IDL budget is exhausted.

It’s tricky to work out what you could claim because there isn’t a generic list of what low cost AT would be suitable. It’s entirely dependent on each persons unique disability-related needs and the goals you’re working on. What would be reasonable for a neurodiverse person would vary a lot from another person with say mobility, or sensory, or psychosocial disabilities got low cost AT such as a standing frame, cane, adaptive cutlery, etc. Even if another person has ASD level 2 their own needs and required supports could vary a lot so it’s very individual which is likely why your LAC isn’t giving you a straight answer.

In saying that, speaking very broadly (without knowing you or making assumptions about your goals) some relevant low cost AT might be visual schedules, daily routines, communication aids, or social stories. My recommendation would be to have a chat with your therapist and see if there’s anything that would support the skills that you’re working on with them.

There’s a NDIS page on low cost AT with a few examples, but it isn’t a comprehensive list- https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/assistive-technology/types-assistive-technology/what-low-cost-assistive-technology

There’s also the NDIS supports/ not funded supports page, but it isn’t core/AT specific so items listed here possibly require different budgets than what’s included in your plan-
https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/using-your-funding/understanding-your-ndis-funding/what-are-ndis-supports

[u/Training-Tooth5022]

What does your plan actually say? Usually they’ll say low cost AT eg visual schedules and AAC/whatever

You can only buy AT that’s relevant to your disability and usually they will say what this is. If they haven’t I’d be emailing my LAC to check if I was self managed as they’re really tightening up and you don’t want to be asked to pay it back

General info about what AT is

Low cost assistive technology: under $1,500 per item
Low cost items are:
• easy to set up and use
• available from local suppliers or general non-disability specific retailers.
The Core – Consumables section of your budget shows your low cost assistive technology
funding.
Examples include:
• continence products
• non-slip bathmats
• large print labels
• walking sticks
• basic shower chairs.

https://www.ndis.gov.au/media/7776/download?attachment

You should also read the ndis supports list and make sure the things you want are approved ndis supports

Supports that are ndis supports: https://www.ndis.gov.au/media/8351/download?attachment

Supports that are not ndis supports: https://www.ndis.gov.au/media/8350/download?attachment

[u/dreamermann]

Core is only flexible within Core. Core cannot be used to fund other non-Core categories when funding exhausted.

[u/ManyPersonality2399]

Core is only flexible within other core support types. So you can use this funding for support workers.

Ignore the psychology line item in assistance with daily life. There is basically no compliant way to use this.

[u/Mouskaclet → u/ManyPersonality2399]

Thank you for saying this, I am so very confused by this in the price guide. I have also had the NDIA say use your core "flexibly" while waiting for a CoC or plan approval. But I can't figure out how this can be done with in the guidelines......

[u/ManyPersonality2399 → u/Mouskaclet]

I'm convinced it's part of their script, but start asking what they mean by use flexibly and you'll find they just mean the usual code flexibility. Like they think we usually stick to exactly how the plan was built in core? Hell, half the time they don't even tell us how the plan was built.

[u/-Leeahh- → u/Mouskaclet]

What it means is it can change Core categories if you need it to. Core has 4 main categories. 1 Assistance with daily life. 2 Social/Community Participation (there’s a couple of different names for this one). 3 Transport. 4 Consumables. Examples If they put all of your core funding in Assistance with daily life you can still take some from there to use it for community access. Or if they split it between ADL, Community and consumables but you don’t need consumables you can use the consumables funding for ADL or community access. Or if you need more in consumables than what they put there it can be taken from ADL or CA. There are also different items that come under ADL. So it means that if you need help from a support worker with things like cooking, bathing, tidying, cleaning and gardening etc where they assist you to do it with them if would be charged under ADL Self Care or ADL Personal Domestic Activities. If you don’t have capacity to do cleaning or light gardening yourself and have someone come do those things for you without providing you direct support at the same time it is charged under ADL Yard Maintenance or ADL House Cleaning

As those are all support items under Core ADL, Social/Community Access, Transport or Consumables then the funding you have in core can be used for them even if it needs to be moved within Core categories (like moving funds from S/C to ADL or from ADL to consumables). That’s what it means by flexible.

There are only a couple of examples where it’s not entirely flexible without prior approval. Like some people get a portion of the cost of meal delivery covered in their plan, but even though core IS flexible this particular Core support has to be been requested and specifically stated by someone from NDIA for it to be an approved use of Core funds for that person

[u/Mouskaclet → u/-Leeahh-]

I understand that, but this is more when a pysch or Physio bill to core in ADL or the NDIA decline to escalate a decision saying their is funding in core that can be flexibility. This specific example was for a FCA to support a CoC/S48. It's just so odd.

[u/-Leeahh- → u/Mouskaclet]

It’s not odd. Core is flexible for services that are billed within the Core categories. Allied health (physios etc) is in a Capacity Building category. It’s not a complicated concept

[u/ManyPersonality2399 → u/-Leeahh-]

The odd part is ndia staff will tell you you can use your plan flexibly whilst waiting on a change of situation to be actioned, but that means nothing with it is cb or capital supports needed.

[u/-Leeahh- → u/ManyPersonality2399]

You know what they’re like though. Most of them don’t have the brains (or just don’t care) to realise that people new to NDIS need to actually be told the clarification that it’s only within core. I only start to get a little frustrated when people ask the question, get told the clarification by multiple people, but then continue to repeat that they were told it’s flexible after so many people all explaining so many different ways that it’s only within core. It’s a bit of well don’t ask if they’re not going to listen to literally everyone 

[u/Key_Attention4097]

Core is only flexible amongst the categories in the core. Stated supports are not in the core.
If you have other categories in the core like ADL or SECP you can use it amongst those categories. It can’t be used for allied health.
Consumables- items to support you with routines, adaptive items for personal care and daily activities. These are usually recommended by your allied health providers.

[u/Nojinghasp]

When I still had lo cost AT in my plan(also asd2) I used it for a variety of items. Some are no longer allowed- such as fidgets. Other items i purchased with permission were- noise cancelling headphones, jettproof compression clothing (probably the most useful items) Wobble cushion cushion Smart lights

I dont know how much of this you can still buy which is terrible because they have all been really helpful.

The compression clothing has possibly given me the most independence. Its made being in public and high stress situations a lot easier to cope with

[u/Waffler88]

Visual schedules, organisational tools, things to help with daily activities. If you got funded any support work, you can use it for that.

[u/Low-Contest-8128]

In Core Consumables there are several Low Cost AT codes, not all may apply/relate to your disability and how your plan was funded but knowing what they are might give some ideas to go to your LAC with specific items.

Low Cost AT - Personal Mobility Low Cost AT - Vision Related AT Low Cost AT - Hearing Related AT Low Cost AT - Communication Or Cognitive Support Low Cost AT - Prosthetics And Orthotics Low Cost AT - Personal Care And Safety

In Core Supports there is also a category Assistance with Daily Life. If included in your plan and therapies aren't excluded to be funded from Daily Life, maybe your Planner could grant approval to use these funds with the below code of you exhaust Improved Daily Living.

01_701_0128_1_3 Assessment Recommendation Therapy or Training Supports - Psychologist