autism
navigate outings such as going to the
supermarket and the movies.
“The first night with Zeke,
Lachlan slept through the whole
night,” Judy said.
“The change in Lachlan was beyond
amazing, and it was immediate.
“Zeke is Lachlan’s ticket to the
outside world. Things like going to
the movies; we could never go to the
Above: Judy and Lachlan Masters
with Zeke at home. Opposite page:
Lachlan and Zeke, image courtesy
Guide Dogs SA/NT.
and Zeke sits under Lachlan’s seat.”
there’s been a 95 per cent reduction."
Lachlan has been on the National
movies before. Now it’s his ultimate
thing. We go to the movies as a family
meltdowns every now and then but
“I believe he’s talking now because
Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
he’s in a much better place. Once life for four years now, and to begin with,
became a bit more settled, things Lachlan’s NDIS plan included funding
Lachlan being calmer, safer and started to fall into place for him to cover a portion of costs such as pet
having developed verbal skills. developmentally. insurance, dog food and twice-yearly
Three key points of change include
“Lachlan started to become verbal
“Zeke is very calming; if Lachlan
follow-up visits with Guide Dogs SA/
about 18 months after we got Zeke,” was having a meltdown he’d go NT. However, maintenance costs for
Judy said. sit with the dog. Lachlan still has Zeke are no longer covered – and
Judy said other families are in the
NDIS funding same situation.
he National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) told Link
that funding for an assistance animal’s maintenance and
ongoing training is included in a participant’s NDIS plan
where “an assistance animal is considered to be a reasonable and
necessary support under the NDIS Act, and continues to be an
approved support in a participant’s plan”. dealing with,” she said.
T
“The NDIA will consider the participant’s lived experience, goals,
identified benefits of an assistance animal (above those arising from a
companion animal or pet), and the cost of alternative supports available to
the participant,” an NDIA spokesperson said.
“For an approved assistance animal, funding would be considered for
“People who don’t live with autism
have no understanding of what we’re
“A screaming kid who is
throwing themselves on the
ground and bashing their head
isn’t being naughty, they are
overwhelmed, and in these
instances of an autism meltdown,
the dog is calming and helpful.”
The family recently enjoyed their
first holiday to the Gold Coast, only
possible because of Zeke, who happily
necessary supplementary training of the animal and its handler, as well as the went along for the ride – flying in the
extra maintenance costs of an assistance animal over those of an equivalent plane, staying in the hotel, travelling in
companion animal or pet. The NDIA would expect the cost of an assistance the hire car and going to Movie World.
animal to vary over time, from the initial purchase, to maintenance and care
costs covered in subsequent plans over several years.”
The NDIA’s guidance on assistance animals and their consideration for
NDIS participant plans can be found on the NDIS website.
www.ndis.gov.au
Judy said Zeke and Guide Dogs
SA/NT had “given us our life back as a
family, and given Lachlan a chance”.
“I shudder to think where we
would be without Zeke,” she said.
www.guidedogs.org.au
linkonline.com.au
autism
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