Work

Individualized disability support schemes and their impact on autism diagnoses

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This paper examines the impact of individualized funding for disability supports on autism diagnoses. We identify these effects using the staggered roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which provides individualized funding for non-medical disability interventions. We find compelling evidence that the introduction of the NDIS has led to a 32 % increase in reported autism prevalence and accounts for 47 % of new diagnoses since the introduction of the scheme. We find a significant reduction in diagnoses from government subsided healthcare professionals, accompanied by an increase in diagnoses from disability service providers. A lower threshold for autism recognition appears more consistent with our results than catch-up in historically underdiagnosed groups.

Source: Journal of Health Economics

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2025.103100

Authors: Maathumai Ranjan, Robert Breunig

Institution: Australian National University

Language: English

Topic: Healthcare innovation and challenges

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,260