Approximately 7.4% to 8.2% of Australian children have been diagnosed with ADHD, making it one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions in the country. ADHD impacts children’s ability to participate in school, social settings, daily routines, and self-regulation. It is more common in boys than girls and can create ongoing challenges for families.
While the NDIS does not automatically recognise ADHD as a primary disability, children may still be eligible for funding if their condition causes a substantial and lasting impact on daily life. Eligibility is assessed case by case, with the focus on functional impairment rather than diagnosis alone. Comprehensive documentation and professional assessments are often required, particularly when coexisting conditions are present, which can strengthen the application.
In this article, we explore how the NDIS applies to children with ADHD in Broadmeadows, what types of support may be funded, and the key considerations families should be aware of when seeking assistance.
The NDIS plays a crucial role in supporting children whose ADHD significantly impacts their daily functioning. Its core principle is to provide individualised funding for “reasonable and necessary supports” that help participants build capacity, enhance independence, and improve quality of life. For families seeking NDIS for ADHD children in Broadmeadows, this can mean access to therapies, tools, and programs that go beyond what mainstream health, education, or community services typically provide.
Through the NDIS, eligible children with ADHD may receive funding for a range of supports, including:
It’s important to note that the NDIS is not a free therapy program. Instead, it is designed to cover additional supports that sit on top of what schools, healthcare providers, or community services already offer.
One of the trickiest aspects of navigating NDIS for ADHD child support is that an ADHD diagnosis alone does not automatically guarantee access. Here’s how ADHD fits into the eligibility framework:
To become an NDIS participant, the child must meet the general access requirements:
For children under nine, Early Childhood Intervention is often the pathway for entry. The NDIS Early Childhood Approach provides early intervention support specifically for children with developmental delay or disability.
Because ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, it is often classified as a “secondary disability” in NDIS applications. The Australian Parliament House inquiry into ADHD under the NDIS found that while some participants list ADHD as their sole disability, very few are accepted on that basis alone.
Many submissions highlighted that unless ADHD causes serious functional impairment or co-occurs with other conditions such as autism, intellectual disability, or learning disorders, it may not satisfy NDIS access requirements. Similarly, the ADHD Foundation explains that the NDIA does not currently recognise ADHD as a primary disorder, though funding may be received if another coexisting condition is present.
In practice, this means families applying for NDIS for ADHD children need to demonstrate that ADHD significantly limits a child’s ability to manage everyday life such as self-care, schooling, behaviour, and social interaction.
For a deeper breakdown of these requirements, you may also find our guide helpful: Top 10 Questions About ADHD NDIS Eligibility.
Because eligibility depends on showing functional impact rather than diagnosis alone, strong documentation is essential. Evidence that supports applications includes:
Eligibility is ultimately about the functional impact and permanency of the condition. NDIS plans are individually tailored, and treatment responsiveness (such as medication outcomes) may also be considered.
| Support type | Examples | Notes |
| Therapeutic supports / behaviour support | Behavioural therapy, counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), social skills training | These assist in emotional regulation, attention control, social interaction |
| Speech therapy & communication supports | Speech therapy delivered in-home or at clinics (speech therapists at home) to aid pragmatic language, self-expression or social communication | Especially helpful if language or social pragmatics are affected |
| Occupational therapy / sensory supports | OT for executive functioning, regulation, planning; sensory modulation tools | Can help with self-management strategies |
| Physiotherapy / movement supports | For co-occurring motor difficulties, gross motor planning, posture | Melbourne mobile physio services can deliver therapy at home if in plan |
| Assistive technology & aids | Timers, visual planners, apps, fidget tools, noise-cancelling headphones | Devices or software that support organisation/attention |
| Capacity-building / coaching | Executive functioning coaching, self-management training, parent training | To build independence over time |
| Support coordination / plan management | Help navigating service providers, linking therapies, scheduling, financial management | Ensures goals are met |
| Community participation & social skills | Funding for structured groups, social clubs, mentoring | Builds social confidence, peer interaction |
| Travel / transport supports | If the child has difficulty accessing transport independently | Paid support for travel to appointments or community access |
It’s important to emphasise that NDIS does not fund standard medical or psychiatric treatment, things like medications, hospital visits, or general psychiatry are typically excluded and remain under the health/Medicare system.
At Roaming Therapy, we understand how important it is for families to access flexible and child-centred supports. As a trusted NDIS provider in Melbourne, we specialise in mobile allied therapy services, bringing expert care directly to your home or community setting in Broadmeadows.
Our mobile allied therapy team includes speech therapists, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists who work with children living with ADHD and other developmental conditions. By delivering therapy in familiar environments, we reduce stress, improve engagement, and make it easier for families in Broadmeadows and across Melbourne to access consistent, high-quality support.
Whether your child needs help with communication, emotional regulation, social skills, or motor development, our therapists can create a personalised therapy plan aligned with their NDIS goals. For more detailed insights on navigating supports, check out our in-depth guide: Melbourne Parent’s Guide to Developmental Support and ADHD NDIS Resources (2025 + Free Checklist).
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