‘We’d be on our own’: families face being thousands of dollars worse off as Labor cuts NDIS lifeline

Hollie-Ann Newman's autistic son receives help from the NDIS but she fears it might be cut. Photograph: Hollie-Ann Newman

Hollie-Ann Newman’s four-year-old son has level two autism. Each day he needs substantial support from the NDIS – an occupational therapist for emotional regulation, a speech therapist for communication and a behavioural support worker.

“A neurotypical child of his age would be able to dress themselves, feed themselves, dry themselves, clothe themselves, all those things,” Newman said.