Prior to the recent changes within the NDIS, SNAA has always provided its Needs Assessment Process and a Functional Needs Assessment. SNAA believes in obtaining as much information about the child's learning profile, their strengths and interests, and areas of support required in any areas of their development, within the child's natural development.

The purpose of the FNA is to ascertain:

• A child’s level of participation and function within the home environment and school curriculum (celebrating the child's neurodivergence to support them achieving their potential).

• Any barriers to the child’s ability to access activities within the home or within the school curriculum.

• The level of supports / resources required to help the team (family, staff and child) achieve the family's goals for the child in either / both home and school environments.

The components of the FNA are as follows:

• Family meeting (home visits can be provided if suitable to assess the child performing tasks, interactions with other family members).

• Observation of the child within their learning environment at a time where their highest needs / concerns are evident.

• Interview /meeting with the teacher staff to obtain relevant information to best suppor the team.

**The FNA can be as comprehensive as required, pending the family's goals for their child and outcomes required for various purposes.

Benefits of the FNA are:

• Provide service for children and their team who are waiting for ongoing therapy. Often the teacher and family are able to implement strategies into the home and school environments, to make the necessary accommodations / adjustments.

• Support a diagnostic process with the required functional information to the child's medical team.

• Support NDIS access request / review process with the required functional information.

• School readiness / transition support

• Fine and or gross motor

• Sensory processing

• Self-care

• Executive functioning

• Handwriting

• Access request / eligibility for your child to become an NDIS participant.

• Review meeting to support ongoing funding for your child (NDIS determines the child's budget).

• Support an application regarding any appeal process.

For additional information regarding how SNAA can support your family to maximise your child’s accessibility into the NDIS and ongoing funding, please click here.