Access to effective autism treatment shouldn’t depend on your bank balance.

The 3 October 2024 decision to remove NDIS funding for neurofeedback created an immediate divide in autism care. Families with financial means continue accessing this proven therapy privately, while others watch their progress slip away. This stark reality transforms neurofeedback from an essential treatment into a luxury, available only to those who can afford to pay out of pocket.

The emergence of this two-tiered system undermines the very purpose of the NDIS.

When effective treatments become accessible only to wealthy families, we betray the principle of equal access to disability support. Parents now face impossible choices between financial stability and their child’s development, creating a system where progress depends on privilege rather than need.

This growing treatment gap will have long-lasting consequences for autism support in Australia.

As some families maintain access to neurofeedback while others are forced to discontinue, we’re creating disparate outcomes based purely on financial capacity. This inequity doesn’t just affect current treatment—it shapes future opportunities and development potential for an entire generation of autistic individuals.

We cannot accept a system where wealth determines access to life-changing therapy.

Every autistic person deserves access to the most effective treatment for their needs, regardless of their family’s financial situation. The reinstatement of NDIS funding for neurofeedback isn’t just about treatment access—it’s about maintaining equality in autism care.