Children with autism are being used as scapegoats for spiralling NDIS costs, an independent support co-ordinator says, as an inquiry begins into changes to the system.

The federal government hopes moving some children with autism and developmental delays off the National Disability Insurance Scheme will rein in spending and ensure the scheme's sustainability.

The Thriving Kids program would provide early intervention and support through mainstream channels like general practitioners and schools beginning from mid-2026.

But the plan had used autistic people as a scapegoat for the scheme's increasing costs and excluding autism was more than short-sighted, Ange McArthur said.

"It is ableist and discriminatory," she said.

The independent support co-ordinator and mother of two autistic son

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