Author | Lightnews

Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · 12d

[3/3] Billions are being pulled from the NDIS and sold back to us as “reform.”
Children don’t thrive when their supports are cut — they thrive when governments listen.
#SaveOurNDIS #ThrivingKids #DisabilityJustice #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs

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Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · 12d

[2/]3] We’re bringing the voices of over 1,000 people who took part in EAC’s survey — and the message couldn’t be clearer: families and disabled kids are being left behind. #NobodyWorseOff #NobodyLeftBehind #

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Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · 12d

[1/3] Been a bit quiet on here lately — but a lot’s been happening behind the scenes.

Today I’m speaking at the Parliamentary Thriving Kids hearing on behalf of @everyaustcounts.bsky.social , alongside Nick Avery (1:45–2:30).
🎥 Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability | Melbourne, VIC | 20/10/2025

YouTube video by Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal

www.youtube.com

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Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · 25d

On #Oct27 I’ll be speaking at #ParliamentHouse, #Canberra for #StopTheCuts #MakeTheNDIS #Safe #Fair & #Forever.

#Disabled people, families & allies are saying: #EnoughIsEnough. We deserve an #NDIS for all of us — not one that cherry-picks who gets rights.

#NDIS #StopTheCuts #DisabilityRights

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Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · Sep 25

I’ve not published a #LinkedIn article before, but #misogyny in how #autism is talked about — here & globally — needs air time.

👉 From Trump to Thriving Kids: Misogyny, Autism & the Politics of Blame
www.linkedin.com/pulse/from-t...

#DisabilityRights #GenderEquality #NDIS #HumanRights

From Trump to Thriving Kids: Misogyny, Autism, and the Politics of Blame

When Donald Trump stood at a podium last week and claimed that autism is caused by mothers taking Panadol in pregnancy, the reaction from many Australians was disbelief (May, 2025). How could a politi...

www.linkedin.com

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Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · Sep 23

I’m quoted in this #ABC piece on #Trump’s #autism whack claims.

“We’re framed as a problem to be fixed, instead of people who need support to be included.”

Grateful ABC gave #ActuallyAutistic people a voice.

🔗 www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...

The 'terrifying' notion underneath Trump's unproven autism claims

The Trump administration's rhetoric only adds to the noise around autism and will make it harder for the community to feel understood and accepted, write Nas Campanella and Evan Young.

www.abc.net.au

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Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · Sep 22

#Trump says he’s “found the answer to #autism” — blaming women for taking #Tylenol in #pregnancy. 🙄 Same old #misogynist BS!! Autism doesn’t need a cure — #autistic kids & mums need real supports and #HumanRights. What a waste of airtime.

a man with a towel wrapped around his head is asking if we just not

Alt: GIF of David Rose from schitt's creek with a towel wrapped around his head. Text reads; "Can We Just Not?"

media.tenor.com

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Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · Sep 16

Grateful to contribute to the Spring 2025 #CanberraDisabilityReview with @sarahlangston.bsky.social from #ANPA. We unpack the $2B stripped from the NDIS & the risks of block programs. Rights, not retreat. 🔗 advocacyforinclusion.org/cdr/ Starts pg 18. #NDIS #DisabilityRights

» Canberra Disability Review

advocacyforinclusion.org

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Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · Aug 27

@everyaustcounts.bsky.social @greens.org.au @australianunions.bsky.social @kelpieunicorns.bsky.social @criprights.bsky.social @sarahlangston.bsky.social @ausgov.bsky.social @awnnetwork.org

Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · Aug 27

5/5
Full story
www.9news.com.au/national/ndi...

Sign our petition: www.change.org/p/protect-au...

'A betrayal of our children': NDIS autism changes slammed by parents, expert

www.9news.com.au

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Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · Aug 27

4/5
The #NDIS is not a burden – it’s an #investment. Every $1 results in $2.25 return. #Investment creates jobs, #prevents crisis, reduces health & education costs, and builds stronger communities. Cuts now will cost far more later. #ROI

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Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · Aug 27

3/5
#Women & #girls are already poorly served by the #NDIS. Their needs are too often overlooked. Diluting supports even further will only deepen those inequities.

'A betrayal of our children': NDIS autism changes slammed by parents, expert

www.9news.com.au

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Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · Aug 27

2/5
These labels are misleading. Autism is lifelong, and no 2 Autistic children are the same. Replacing #individualised services with block-funded, one-size-fits-all programs is a real risk to children’s wellbeing.

'A betrayal of our children': NDIS autism changes slammed by parents, expert

www.9news.com.au

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Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · Aug 27

1/5
I was interviewed by @9news.bsky.social about the @ausgov.bsky.social plan to push kids with so-called “mild” or “moderate” #Autism off the #NDIS into the new #ThrivingKids program.

'A betrayal of our children': NDIS autism changes slammed by parents, expert

www.9news.com.au

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Reposted by Heidi La Paglia

Sirius Star 🍉 🍉 🍉 @siriusstar3.bsky.social · Aug 21

Autistic children are not driving #NDIS costs. What is driving costs is the explosion of administrative churn, endless reassessments, & ballooning legal expenses [3] as the NDIA fights & polices participants through tribunals & courts. Billions are wasted every year.
#Auspol #Autism

Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · Aug 21

6/ 📰 And I wrote about them for #EveryAustralianCounts @everyaustcounts.bsky.social: everyaustraliancounts.com.au/opinion/auti...

Autistic Children Don’t Break the Budget. Broken Systems Do - Every Australian Counts

Every Australian Counts is here to make sure the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is delivered as promised and is the best it can be. Find out how the NDIS process works and hear real stori...

everyaustraliancounts.com.au

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Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · Aug 21

sign the petition: www.change.org/p/protect-au...

Sign the Petition

Protect Autistic Kids: Stop the ‘Thriving Kids’ Behaviour Program

www.change.org

Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · Aug 21

#NDIS #ThrivingKids #DisabilityRights #UNCRPD #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs @ausgov.bsky.social @markbutlermp.bsky.social @australianlabor.bsky.social @greens.org.au

Reposted by Heidi La Paglia

Cat Walker @kelpieunicorns.bsky.social · Aug 21

The sustainability maths behind this foundational support fantasy just isn't adding up.

#NDIS #Auspol #Autistic #Disability

Labor's $2bil fantasy: Socialising autistic kids into thriving neurotypical adults

I wrote most of this piece in early 2024, in reaction to rollout of the Inklings program. Because I know how getting “socialised” into meeting neurotypical standards - in schools, or otherwise - works...

www.linkedin.com

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Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · Aug 21

8/8/ Our #children deserve evidence-based, #NeuroAffirming supports that protect choice and dignity — not programs that erase difference. #JoinUs in this fight. ✊ #Solidarity

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Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · Aug 21

7/ 🚨 RAEN and ANPA are leading a campaign to protect us. Join us. Go to:

www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

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Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · Aug 21

6/ 📰 And I wrote about them for #EveryAustralianCounts @everyaustcounts.bsky.social: everyaustraliancounts.com.au/opinion/auti...

Autistic Children Don’t Break the Budget. Broken Systems Do - Every Australian Counts

Every Australian Counts is here to make sure the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is delivered as promised and is the best it can be. Find out how the NDIS process works and hear real stori...

everyaustraliancounts.com.au

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Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · Aug 21

5/ 📻 I spoke about these issues on ABC Hobart this morning (from 47:52): www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...

Mornings - ABC listen

Stay informed about Tasmanian and national issues.

www.abc.net.au

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Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · Aug 21

4/ ⚖️ These changes breach the @AUsGov obligations under the #UNCRPD and risk promoting #masking in #Autistic children — something research links to #burnout, poor #MentalHealth & #suicidality.

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Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · Aug 21

3/ ❌ Families are losing #choice & #control. Individualised supports are being stripped away and replaced with #BlockFunded, 1-size-fits-all non-neuro-affirming programs like #Inklings.

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Heidi La Paglia @heidilapaglia.bsky.social · Aug 21

2/💰 Cutting supports is a false economy. The NDIS returns $2.25 on every $1 invested. Stripping kids’ supports denies rights, cuts jobs & forces parents (esp. mums) out of work & widens the #GenderPay gap.

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