NDIS Support Options for Children with ADHD in Melbourne

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Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder known as ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions among children. According to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, approximately 8.2% of Australian children have been diagnosed with ADHD. For families in Melbourne, navigating support systems like the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can make a significant difference in ensuring children with ADHD receive the right care and services. 

This article explores ADHD support options in Melbourne, NDIS eligibility, and the role of trusted NDIS service providers like Roaming Therapy.

What is ADHD and How it Impacts Children’s Daily Functioning

ADHD can affect a child’s ability to focus, regulate emotions, and participate in school and social settings. Children with ADHD may experience challenges such as:

  • Concentrating and completing learning tasks
  • Managing behaviour and emotions
  • Developing and maintaining social skills
  • Following routines at home and school

These difficulties can significantly impact daily life, which is why structured support is essential. ADHD is recognised as a neurodevelopmental disorder that can impact a child’s participation in social, educational, and daily activities.

Under the NDIS, funding and support for children with ADHD may be available if the condition has a substantial and permanent impact on their daily functioning. ADHD often affects functional capacities such as communication, social interaction, learning, self-care, and self-management. However, it’s important to note that NDIS eligibility is based on functional impairment rather than diagnosis alone.

Support provided through the NDIS may include therapies targeting behavioural regulation, skill development, and participation in daily life. In many cases, ADHD alone is not sufficient for NDIS entry unless accompanied by another significant disability.

ADHD NDIS Eligibility Criteria

A common question many parents ask is about ADHD NDIS eligibility. It’s important to understand that ADHD alone is not automatically considered a primary disability under the NDIS. Eligibility is not based solely on diagnosis but on functional impact. This means a child’s ADHD symptoms must cause substantial and ongoing difficulties that affect their ability to participate in daily life activities such as communication, learning, social interaction, self-care, and self-management.

To qualify, the impairment must also be permanent or likely to be permanent, with evidence that long-term support is required. Medical and allied health professionals play a crucial role in documenting the child’s functional impairments and demonstrating the need for assistance.

Although ADHD does not appear on the NDIA’s automatic access list, children may still be eligible if their functional capacity is significantly affected. In particular, children with complex neurodevelopmental issues or dual diagnoses (such as ADHD with autism) are more likely to meet the NDIS criteria.

For families in Melbourne, navigating the system can feel overwhelming, but accessing the right ADHD support Melbourne services can make a significant difference. Families who qualify can use NDIS funding to access therapeutic interventions, skill development programs, and tailored supports that help foster a child’s growth, independence, and quality of life.

For more guidance, you can also read our related post: Top 10 Questions About ADHD NDIS Eligibility.

How to Apply for NDIS Support for ADHD in Melbourne

Applying for NDIS support for ADHD in Melbourne involves several important steps, and understanding the eligibility criteria is crucial for families seeking the right services.

  1. Gather Documentation: Collect reports from healthcare professionals such as GPs, psychologists, or occupational therapists. This documentation should clearly outline how ADHD affects your child’s daily life and participation.
  2. Submit an Access Request: Lodge an application through the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). This is the formal first step toward accessing NDIS support.
  3. Functional Assessment: Provide evidence that ADHD has a substantial impact on your child’s ability to carry out everyday activities. The NDIS bases eligibility not just on diagnosis, but on the functional impact. For children, this often relates to significant challenges in cognitive, social, or emotional functioning.
  4. Plan Meeting: Work with NDIA planners to co-create a tailored support plan that addresses your child’s needs and goals. Supports may include therapy and interventions, assistive technology, skill development, and family or carer support.

It’s important to note that NDIS eligibility for ADHD depends on the level of impairment rather than the diagnosis alone. Evidence showing how ADHD limits participation in age-typical activities is critical, and co-occurring conditions can also strengthen eligibility.

Families can also reach out to local NDIS providers in Melbourne like Roaming Therapy, for guidance throughout the application process.

For a deeper breakdown of resources and steps, you may also find this guide useful: Melbourne Parent’s Guide to Developmental Support and ADHD NDIS Resources (2025 + Free Checklist).

Types of NDIS Support Available for Children with ADHD

Once approved, families can access a wide range of NDIS-funded supports to help children with ADHD thrive. Common therapeutic options include:

  1. Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy is one of the most frequently accessed NDIS supports for children with ADHD. It helps build daily living skills, improve emotional regulation, and support school readiness. At Roaming Therapy, families can access mobile occupational therapy services, delivered conveniently at home or school, wherever you are in Melbourne.
  2. Speech Pathology: Many children with ADHD experience challenges with communication and social skills. Speech pathology supports language development, expressive and receptive communication, and confidence in social settings. Roaming Therapy offers mobile speech pathology sessions across Melbourne to make accessing therapy easier for families.
  3. Psychology Services: Psychology plays a key role in supporting behaviour management, mental health, and coping strategies. These services help children with ADHD and their families develop practical tools for everyday challenges.
  4. Positive Behaviour Support: This evidence-based approach provides strategies to constructively manage behavioural challenges. Positive behaviour support is included in many NDIS plans for ADHD to help children build independence and resilience.
  5. Mobile Physiotherapy: For children who require additional physical support, physiotherapy can assist with coordination, motor skills, and participation in daily activities. Roaming Therapy provides mobile physiotherapy in Melbourne, giving families the flexibility of therapy at home, school, or community settings.

Families seeking ADHD support Melbourne through the NDIS can benefit greatly from Roaming Therapy’s mobile allied health services, ensuring children receive the right care in a familiar and supportive environment.

Common Challenges in Accessing NDIS for ADHD

While the NDIS is designed to support individuals with disabilities, many families in Melbourne encounter hurdles when seeking ADHD-related support through the scheme. Some of the most common challenges include:

  • Proving functional impact rather than just diagnosis. Although ADHD is a recognised medical condition, eligibility for NDIS funding is based on the significant functional impact of the condition on daily life, rather than the diagnosis alone. Families often struggle to demonstrate how ADHD substantially affects a child’s ability to participate in school, social activities, and everyday tasks.

  • Distinguishing between medical condition and disability. Many parents assume that an ADHD diagnosis automatically qualifies their child for NDIS funding. However, the scheme requires evidence that ADHD has created a level of disability that limits the child’s capacity to function in key areas of life. This difference between medical diagnosis and disability status can create confusion for families navigating the process.
  • Meeting application and evidence requirements. The NDIS application process can feel overwhelming. Families are expected to provide detailed reports and assessments from health professionals that highlight the child’s functional impairments. The ADHD Foundation emphasises that strong documentation and collaboration with NDIS planners are essential for creating an effective and personalised plan.

Because of these challenges, many families turn to professionals experienced in NDIS applications for ADHD child cases. Seeking expert guidance not only reduces stress but also improves the likelihood of approval. For parents searching for ADHD support Melbourne, working with providers who understand the nuances of both ADHD and NDIS processes can make a meaningful difference in securing the right services and care.

Roaming Therapy: Your Trusted NDIS Provider in Melbourne

For families seeking ADHD support Melbourne services, Roaming Therapy stands out as a trusted NDIS provider dedicated to delivering personalised care. Roaming Therapy offers mobile in-home allied health services funded by the NDIS, with a strong focus on improving independence, confidence, and quality of life for children and their families.

Our mobile allied team includes occupational therapists, speech pathologists, exercise physiologists, and mobile physiotherapists, ensuring a holistic approach tailored to each child’s unique needs. By providing therapy directly at home, school, or in the community, Roaming Therapy removes accessibility barriers and creates a supportive environment where children can thrive.

Families across Melbourne including areas such as Craigieburn, North Melbourne, Dandenong, Melton, Epping, Broadmeadows, etc. benefit from Roaming Therapy’s mobile services, which bring professional care to the spaces where children feel most comfortable. From managing the daily challenges of ADHD to building essential life and communication skills, our team works collaboratively with families to deliver meaningful, long-term outcomes.

As a trusted NDIS provider in Melbourne, Roaming Therapy offers a wide range of services under the scheme, including mobile physiotherapy, mobile occupational therapy, mobile speech pathology, and mobile exercise physiology support. This makes our team a reliable partner for families navigating the NDIS and seeking comprehensive, child-focused therapy solutions.

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