Unlike many people including those with a primary intellectual disability, those with PWS are highly likely to face significant and lifelong challenges across all key functional domains of their life.  The following information is a guideline to help you understand how a person with PWS may be eligible for the NDIS, and what categories they may require funding within.

There are five requirements for NDIS eligibility that relates to a person with PWS:

• The person with PWS has a disability that is attributable to one or more intellectual, cognitive, neurological or physical impairments
• The impairments are lifelong
• The impairments result in substantially reduced functional capacity to participate in many social activities
• The impairments affect the person’s capacity for social and economic participation 
• The person is likely to require support under the NDIS for their lifetime.

NDIS Supply Category Descriptions

• Core Supports – required by all people with a disability at a given life stage
• Capacity Building – required by some individuals, depending on their goals
• Capital Supports – funding for equipment, home modifications and other one off costs.

The following shows a summary of recommendations/examples for Core, Capacity Building, and Capital Support services required for individuals with PWS.

Core Supports:

• Assistance to access community, social and recreational activities
• Assistance with daily personal activities
• Group based community, social and recreational activities
• Carer support to facilitate participation in exercise
• Personal care assistance for individuals living both at home with family or living out of the family home
• Short term accommodation
• Appropriate Supported Independent Living (SIL) accommodation supported by carers trained in managing PWS for individuals over the age of 18  (eg Interaction’s Transitional Living Accommodation) .
• In home support by carers who are trained to provide services to people with PWS
• Continence aids
• Transport

Finding and keeping a job

• Assistance to gain employment for people with PWS

Capacity Building

• Support Coordination
• Improved living arrangements
• Increased social and community participation
• Allied Health Services including Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Exercise Physiology, Psychology services including behaviour intervention and support, dietetics
• Early Childhood Intervention Supports funded under the Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) approach

Capital Supports

• Assistive technology
• Vehicle modifications
• Home modifications