NDIS Supports for Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a permanent neurological condition affecting movement and motor skills. The NDIS funds a wide range of supports depending on the type of CP and the individual's functional needs.

Common funded supports include:

Physiotherapy — Improves movement, strength, balance, and mobility. Funded under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living.

Occupational therapy — Addresses fine motor skills, daily living activities, and assistive technology. OTs also complete functional capacity assessments for equipment funding.

Speech therapy — Many people with CP experience speech and swallowing difficulties. Speech therapy is funded under Capacity Building.

Personal care & support workers — Funded under Core Supports – Daily Activities for people who need help with hygiene, dressing, meals, and daily routines.

Assistive technology — Wheelchairs, communication devices, pressure care mattresses, and home modifications can be funded as Capital Supports.

Physiotherapy is often the most critical ongoing support for people with CP. NDIS-funded physio typically covers:

• Spasticity management and stretching programs
• Gait training and mobility programs
• Post-surgical rehabilitation
• Hydrotherapy (water-based therapy)
• Exercise programs for strength and fitness
• Falls prevention and balance training
• Orthotic recommendations

For children, physiotherapy is often school-based or community-based and may involve intensive programs. For adults, the focus often shifts to maintaining function and independence.

Ensure your plan includes enough funding for the frequency your therapist recommends — physiotherapy for CP often needs to be weekly or fortnightly.

Chronic pain is common for people with CP — particularly musculoskeletal pain from spasticity, joint problems, and overuse. The NDIS can fund supports that help manage pain, including:

• Physiotherapy and hydrotherapy programs specifically targeting pain reduction
• Psychology for chronic pain management strategies
• Occupational therapy for ergonomic adjustments and energy conservation
• Assistive technology that reduces physical strain (power wheelchairs, pressure-relieving cushions)

Pain management isn't always a separate line item — it's often built into your therapy goals. When writing plan goals, be specific: "I want to reduce pain so I can sit comfortably for a full work day" is stronger than "I want pain management."

If pain is significantly impacting your daily life, ask your GP or specialist for a referral to a pain clinic and ensure the report is included in your plan review evidence.

People with CP often need a range of assistive technology (AT) funded through the NDIS. AT is a Capital Support, meaning it has its own funding bucket separate from Core and Capacity Building supports.

Common AT funded for CP includes:

• Wheelchairs and mobility equipment — Manual chairs, power wheelchairs, scooters
• Orthoses and splints — AFOs, hand splints, and other positioning equipment
• Seating and positioning — Specialised chairs, standing frames, sleep systems
• Communication devices — AAC devices and apps for people with speech difficulties
• Home modifications — Bathroom rails, ramps, hoist systems (funded under Capital Supports – Home Modifications)
• Vehicle modifications — Wheelchair-accessible vehicle conversions or driving aids, funded under Capital Supports for eligible participants

An OT assessment is usually required before the NDIS will fund major AT items. Ensure your plan includes funding for AT assessments.

If you have CP with high support needs, you may be eligible for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). SDA is funding for housing specifically designed for people with extreme functional impairment.

SDA design categories range from Improved Liveability to Fully Accessible and High Physical Support — with the highest category offering features like ceiling hoists, reinforced walls, and wider doorways.

SIL (Supported Independent Living) funds the supports you need to live in your home (staff support), while SDA funds the housing itself.

Not everyone with CP qualifies for SDA. The NDIS applies strict eligibility criteria based on functional capacity assessments. If you believe you may be eligible, get a detailed OT functional assessment and raise it at your next planning meeting.

CP is a high-needs condition, and many families find their initial NDIS plans are under-funded. To get the right level of support:

Get strong allied health reports. Therapists should document what supports are needed, at what frequency, and why — not just what the participant currently receives.

Request a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA). An FCA completed by an OT or physiotherapist is the strongest evidence for significant funding.

Be specific in your goals. Vague goals like "maintain function" produce lower plans than specific ones like "maintain ambulation with walker for 100m in the community."

Request an internal review if your plan is under-funded. You have the right to review any NDIS decision.