Submission on Autism Medicare Rebates

The Australian Physiotherapy Association's (APA) survey found that physiotherapists saw over 3,500 children with a diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) between July 2008 and December 2009, and provided over 10,500 physiotherapy consultations to these children during the same period.

The results of the APA's survey show that physiotherapy is valuable to children with PDD, and consultations with physiotherapists are common-place, despite little funding being available for this treatment.

There is a substantial body of literature on the physiotherapy treatment of PDDs. This combined with clinical best practice and the experience of families with a child with PDD demonstrates that physiotherapy intervention is vital to maximise functional independence and quality of life, particularly in early childhood.

In the case of children with Rett's disorder, expensive surgery for scoliosis (curvature of the spine) is funded through the public hospital system, yet conservative management by physiotherapists of the musculoskeletal disorders common with Rett's is not funded through the Medicare system.

Recommendation
The APA recommends that physiotherapy assessment and intervention is included in the Medicare items for children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders.

Click here to read the full submission.