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Girl Squad: why we created an NDIS social group just for teenage girls on the Gold Coast
This one started with a question we kept hearing. "Do you have anything just for girls?" It came from parents. From support coordinators. From the girls themselves. And for a while, the honest answer was no. So we changed that. Girl Squad is our Saturday NDIS social and skills group designed exclusively for neurodiverse teenage girls aged 14 to 19 on the Gold Coast. It runs every Saturday from 9am to 3pm at our Nerang Hub, with monthly community excursions chosen by the group
23 hours ago3 min read


National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026. I Read It. I Have Questions. You Should Have Questions Too..
I have spent a number of years inside this system. Not observing it from a boardroom or a parliamentary office but living it. Supporting real people with real disabilities through a scheme that was supposed to change their lives, and in many ways still could, if the people running it could correctly identify where some of the the problems are actually coming from. I am tired. But if I am tired, imagine how tired the participants are. Imagine how tired the families are. Im
May 1730 min read


Special Schools on the Gold Coast: A Guide for Families Navigating the NDIS
If you are the parent of a child with disability on the Gold Coast, you already know how much work goes into finding the right school. But what about what comes after? At Loving Life Support Services, we work alongside young people and their families every single day. We see first-hand how important the transition out of school is, and how overwhelming it can feel for families who are trying to figure out the next steps. This guide is designed to do two things: give you a cle
May 135 min read


How to Self-Manage Your NDIS Funding: A Practical Guide for Participants and Families
Self-managing your NDIS funding is one of the most empowering choices a participant can make. It puts you in control of who you work with, how you spend your funding, and how your supports are organised. It also comes with real responsibilities. And without the right systems in place, it can quickly become stressful and confusing. This guide covers what self-management actually means in practice, what you are responsible for, and how to stay on top of your funding without it
May 16 min read


NDIS Changes 2026: What It Means for Your Supports (and What Happens Next)
You may have recently seen news about NDIS changes in 2026 and how supports will be funded in the future. If you’re an NDIS participant, parent, or carer, it’s completely normal to have questions about what this means for your current supports and what might change moving forward. The good news is that there are no immediate changes to day-to-day supports, and many of the updates will be introduced gradually over time. This guide breaks down what’s happening, what it means fo
Apr 224 min read


NDIS Assistive Technology: What It Covers and How It Actually Works
Assistive technology is one of the most useful supports available under the NDIS, but also one of the most misunderstood. People often assume it only refers to expensive equipment like wheelchairs or communication devices. In reality, assistive technology can include simple, everyday items that make life easier, safer, and more independent. If you are unsure what the NDIS will fund, how approvals work, or what you can actually purchase, this guide breaks it down in plain lang
Apr 83 min read


What Does “Reasonable and Necessary” Mean in the NDIS?
“Reasonable and necessary” is the criteria the NDIS uses to decide whether something should be funded. For a support to be approved, it generally needs to: Be related to your disability Help you pursue your goals Support your independence and participation Represent value for money Be effective and beneficial Not be more appropriately funded by another system (like health or education) Sounds simple… but this is where things get subjective. Why This Confuses So Many People Tw
Apr 23 min read


What Can NDIS Core Funding Actually Be Used For?
Core funding is designed to support participants with everyday activities and day-to-day life. It is typically used for getting out into the community, support at home, help with personal care, and transport to access activities and appointments. Unlike some other funding categories, Core funding is generally flexible across different support types depending on how your plan is structured. That flexibility is one of its biggest strengths, and one of the main reasons it can fe
Apr 13 min read


Autism QLD and #TrueColours: Moving Beyond Awareness This Autism Month
April is Autism Month. Across Queensland, communities are coming together to celebrate, raise awareness and take part in initiatives like Autism QLD ’s #TrueColours campaign. Campaigns like this play an important role in bringing people together and encouraging meaningful action. Autism Month in QLD isn’t just about recognising autism. It’s about understanding what inclusion actually looks like in everyday life. Awareness vs Understanding Awareness is simple. It’s knowing a
Apr 12 min read


What Are Informal Supports in the NDIS (and Why They Matter More Than You Think)
When people talk about NDIS supports, they usually mean paid services like support workers, therapists, or group programs. But for many participants, the most consistent support comes from the people already in their lives. These are called informal supports. Understanding informal supports in the NDIS is important because they directly impact: How much funding you receive What supports are approved How sustainable your support system is long term What Are Informal Supports i
Mar 43 min read


Autism Support Gold Coast: Structured, Real-World NDIS Support That Builds Confidence
Finding the right autism support can feel overwhelming. Every autistic person is different. Some thrive in busy, social environments. Others need predictability, routine, and structured support to feel safe and confident. Getting the environment right is not a nice-to-have. It is what makes progress possible. At Loving Life Support Services, we provide structured autism support across the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast through personalised 1:1 NDIS support and small group prog
Mar 43 min read


How 1:1 NDIS Support Helps Participants Build Real-World Independence
Independence does not mean doing everything alone. It means having the skills, confidence, and support to make choices and participate in everyday life on your own terms. That is where 1:1 NDIS support makes a real difference. At Loving Life Support Services, our 1:1 NDIS support across the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast focuses on building practical life skills in real environments. We do not just assist. We teach, guide, and build genuine capability over time. What is 1:1 ND
Mar 43 min read


What Are Support Ratios in the NDIS? (1:1, 1:2, 1:3 Explained)
When families are choosing NDIS supports, one of the most confusing (and important) things to understand is support ratios. In the NDIS, a support ratio refers to how many participants each support worker is responsible for at a given time. You will often see ratios written as 1:1, 1:2 or 1:3. The right ratio can make the difference between a participant feeling safe, supported, and confident, or overwhelmed and disengaged. This guide explains what the common NDIS support rat
Mar 44 min read


NDIS Support for Participants with Intellectual Disability: Building Real-World Independence
Supporting a person with an intellectual disability is not about filling time. It is about building skills, confidence, and meaningful independence in everyday life. At Loving Life Support Services, we focus on practical, structured support that helps participants develop real-world capability at home, in the community, and in small, supported group environments. There is no one-size-fits-all approach here, and there should not be. What is intellectual disability? Intellectua
Mar 43 min read


NDIS Group Gold Coast: Why They Matter for Teens with Disability
The teenage years are a time of rapid change. Friendships shift. Social expectations increase. Confidence can fluctuate week to week. For teens with disability, these years can bring additional challenges around connection, communication, and belonging. That is why well-designed NDIS social groups on the Gold Coast matter so much. When structured properly, they do far more than fill time. They create safe, predictable environments where teens can practise social skills, build
Mar 43 min read


NDIS Community Participation: What It Is and Why It Matters
Curious about how NDIS Community Access works? We break down what it means, why it’s important, and how Loving Life helps participants build confidence, connection, and independence.
Mar 43 min read


Growing Confidence: Inside Our NDIS Gardening Program on the Gold Coast
Good post, strong SEO already baked in with the keyword repeated naturally. This one mostly needs a light tighten, the bullet points converted to prose, and proper internal links added. The content and structure are solid. Growing confidence: inside our NDIS gardening program on the Gold Coast If you are looking for an NDIS gardening program on the Gold Coast that builds real skills, confidence, and independence, you might be surprised at just how powerful growing food can be
Feb 243 min read


Funding Type Spotlight: Assistance in Coordinating or Managing Life Stages, Transitions and Supports - Support for Big Changes and Everyday Independence
Life changes can be challenging for anyone, but for people with disability, major transitions often require additional planning, structure, and support. Under the NDIS, Assistance in Coordinating or Managing Life Stages, Transitions and Supports helps participants navigate these changes with confidence. This support is funded through Capacity Building – Increased Social and Community Participation and focuses on mentoring, peer support, and practical skill development. In thi
Jan 283 min read


Funding Type Spotlight: NDIS Skills Development & Training, Building Independence Through Real-Life Learning
Skills Development and Training provides individual and group-based learning to help participants develop everyday life skills. According to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements, this support includes training in: Public transport use Community access Social participation Recreational skills Daily living activities It focuses on helping participants participate safely and confidently in their community. Supports may be delivered: 1:1, or In small group programs They are funded throu
Jan 283 min read


Funding Type Spotlight: NDIS Assistance with Household Tasks: What Families Need to Know
For many NDIS participants, managing everyday household responsibilities can be challenging due to disability, health conditions, or reduced capacity. That’s where Assistance with Household Tasks funding comes in. This Core Support helps participants maintain a safe, clean, and comfortable home environment, supporting both wellbeing and independence. In this guide, we explain what this support covers, how it can be used, and what families should look out for. What Is Assistan
Jan 283 min read
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