Autism support that works the way you do
“Please, not someone new every week.” If that’s the first thing on your mind, you’re in the right place. Predictable days, the same face at the door, and nobody asking you to be someone else. Kinship supports autistic people and their families across Western Sydney, with the same support worker every visit.
- Registered NDIS provider (4-GWVHCEY)
- Same support worker every visit
- Life skills, daily living and community participation
Autism in brief
Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disability that affects how a person communicates, relates to others and experiences the world. Raising Children Network describes it as a natural variation in the way the brain develops and processes information. Every autistic person has a different mix of strengths and challenges.
A diagnosis includes a support level, from “requiring support” to “requiring very substantial support”. Sensory differences, a preference for routine and predictability, and finding sudden change hard are common. Many people, especially women, are diagnosed as adults.
Figures: ABS, Autism in Australia, 2022.
General information only, not medical advice — talk to your GP or health team about your own situation. We use identity-first language (“autistic person”), as Amaze, Aspect and Autism CRC do, and we always follow each person’s own preference.
Questions people search about autism
From parents waiting on an assessment to adults wondering about themselves. Short answers from Amaze, healthdirect, Raising Children Network and the ABS.
How do I get diagnosed with autism as an adult?
Amaze suggests a neurodiversity-affirming psychologist or psychiatrist experienced in adult assessment. Adult assessments aren’t fully government funded, so expect an out-of-pocket cost.
At what age can autism be diagnosed?
It can be diagnosed from 12 to 18 months, but usually from around 2 years. There’s no single test. Plenty of people are diagnosed as teenagers or adults.
What do autism levels 1, 2 and 3 mean?
They describe how much support a person needs with social communication and repetitive or sensory behaviours, from “requiring support” to “requiring very substantial support”.
Why are women often diagnosed later?
healthdirect says girls and women may hide signs by copying others’ social behaviour, and many find out in adulthood. About three times more males than females are diagnosed.
Why does my child cover their ears or refuse some clothes?
Sensory sensitivities are common. Some autistic people are over-sensitive to sound, touch or light, others seek sensations out, and some are both.
How many Australians are autistic?
The ABS counted 290,900 autistic Australians in 2022, or 1.1% of the population, up from 205,200 in 2018.
Everyday life: what helps
Practical ideas from Raising Children Network and Amaze. The person themselves is always the best guide.
Warn before change
Predictable days and a heads-up before anything changes make transitions easier.
Show what’s next
Visual schedules and pictures help people know what’s coming. Raising Children rates the research as positive.
A quiet place to go
Noise-cancelling headphones, a calm corner and a “break” card for busy places.
Time to recharge
After shopping centres or parties, plan quiet time. Managing sensory input can be tiring.
Choose the calmer session
Sensory-friendly cinema sessions and quieter times at the shops make outings easier.
Ask, don’t assume
Support needs, communication style and language preferences differ from person to person.
Autism and the NDIS in 2026
If you’re younger than 65 on the day you apply, you can apply to the NDIS. Autism assessed as Level 2 or Level 3 is on the NDIS “List A” of conditions likely to meet the disability requirements. Other autism diagnoses sit on List B, which usually means providing more evidence about how autism affects daily life.
For children, things are changing. Thriving Kids began on 1 October 2026 for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay or autism and low to moderate support needs; in NSW a diagnosis won’t be required. The NDIS says there will be no change to NDIS access or eligibility until 1 January 2028, and children with high support needs will continue to access the NDIS.
Applying to the NDIS
Talk to your local NDIS partner or call 1800 800 110. Our free guide walks through the access request.
How to apply for the NDIS →Thriving Kids
The Thriving Kids Autism Helpline, run by Amaze, is on 1300 654 789 (weekdays 8am to 7pm).
NDIS announcement →Amaze Autism Connect
A free national autism helpline by phone, email or webchat on 1300 308 699.
Visit Amaze →Support that keeps the day predictable
From Colebee and Blacktown to The Ponds, Kellyville and Stanhope Gardens. We start by asking what works for you, and then we keep doing it that way.
We understand that change has a cost
A new worker, a late arrival, a plan that shifts without warning. For many autistic people, those aren’t small things. They can use up the energy a whole day needed. Noise, crowds and harsh lighting can do the same.
Families often spend years explaining the same things to new people: how the person communicates, what helps, what to avoid. You shouldn’t have to keep starting from the beginning.
Registered, experienced and local
- Registered NDIS provider (4-GWVHCEY)
- In disability and aged care since 2017
- Registered to deliver SIL
- Same support worker every visit
- Hundreds of clients and families supported
Founded by Shazia Begum, who has spent more than 15 years alongside people living with disability. Based at 39 Victory Road, Colebee, and families get updates from us as standard.
Here’s how we can help
Life skills and group activities
Cooking, budgeting, catching up with others: building the skills you choose, at your pace.
Life skills and group activities →Community participation
Going where you want to go, at the times that suit you, with someone who knows what works and what doesn’t.
Community participation →Daily living
Help with routines at home, done the same way each time, so nothing has to be renegotiated.
Daily living support →Respite for the family
A familiar support worker stays with your child or family member at home or takes them out, so you can rest, get to your own appointments or simply have the afternoon. NDIS-funded or booked privately.
Respite care →Supported Independent Living
For autistic adults ready to live with housemates and support at home. We’re registered to deliver SIL; call us to talk about current availability.
Supported Independent Living →Families hear from us about changes as standard, so nobody is chasing information. Respite with the same familiar worker means your break doesn’t come at the cost of a harder week.
Respite care →If you coordinate supports or manage plans for an autistic participant, tell us about their communication, sensory needs and routines up front, and we’ll talk through the support worker match before the first visit.
Information for referrers →Come and talk to us
If you’d like us to help with this, call 0437 733 744 and we’ll talk it through. Prefer writing to talking? Send an enquiry online or email info@kinshipunitingservices.com instead.
The free guide to autism support
Printable and plain-English, for autistic people, parents and family members.
- Autism in plain English, including support levels and adult diagnosis
- Everyday ideas for routine, sensory comfort and outings
- The NDIS, List A and Thriving Kids in 2026
- Questions for your GP and planner, and a printable checklist
Free, no sign-up. Print it, share it, take it to your next appointment.
Plain-English guides for the next step
After you apply for the NDIS
What happens while you wait, and what comes next.
Read the guide →Questions about autism support
Is autism automatically eligible for the NDIS?
Not automatically. Autism assessed as Level 2 or 3 is on the NDIS List A, meaning it is likely to meet the disability requirements. You still need to meet the age and residence rules and provide evidence.
Can I get the NDIS with level 1 autism?
It’s possible, but Level 1 isn’t on List A, so the NDIS usually needs more evidence about how autism affects your daily life. Each application is decided individually.
Will Thriving Kids replace my child’s NDIS plan?
Not yet. The NDIS says there will be no change to access or eligibility until 1 January 2028, and children with high support needs will continue to access the NDIS. Check ndis.gov.au for updates.
Does Kinship support autistic adults?
Yes. We provide life skills, daily living and community participation supports under NDIS plans, with the same support worker every visit.
How is the support worker chosen?
Tell us what works for you and what doesn’t when you first call, and we’ll talk it through. Once support starts, you have the same support worker every visit.
Who can I call for autism advice?
Amaze Autism Connect on 1300 308 699, the Thriving Kids Autism Helpline on 1300 654 789 for families of children 8 and under, or Aspect on 1800 277 328.
How do we get started with Kinship?
Call 0437 733 744, or send an enquiry through our website. We’ll ask about the person first: what a good day looks like and what’s getting harder. Then we’ll tell you plainly whether and how we can help. If there’s an NDIS plan, have it nearby. If there isn’t one yet, we can still talk it through.
Sources
Facts on this page come from these organisations. We checked them in October 2026; always go to the source for the latest.
- Amaze — What is autism?
- Amaze — Autism assessment and diagnosis in Australia
- Amaze — Our language
- Raising Children Network — Autism overview
- Raising Children Network — Sensory sensitivities
- Raising Children Network — Visual supports
- healthdirect — Autism
- ABS — Autism in Australia, 2022
- Autism CRC — National Guideline for assessment and diagnosis
- Aspect — How do we describe autism?
- NDIS — Applying to the NDIS (List A and List B, PDF)
- NDIS — First phase of Thriving Kids supports start today
- NDIS — Guide to the early childhood approach
- NDIS — Securing the NDIS for future generations
- NSW Department of Communities and Justice — Thriving Kids
- NDIS — How to check your eligibility
General information only, not medical advice — talk to your GP or health team. Images are illustrative; to protect our clients’ privacy we never show real clients.
Let’s talk about what would help
Call us and we’ll talk it through. If a phone call is hard, email works just as well.
Registered NDIS provider 4-GWVHCEY. Operating in disability and aged care since 2017. See all conditions we support.