ESSA calls for further disability funding
October 3, 2013
The nation’s peak professional body for accredited exercise physiologists, Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA), has called on the new federal government to fund exercise physiology services for children living with a disability as part of its planned National Disability Insurance Scheme policy changes.
ESSA spokesperson and Paralympian Damien Bowen said under the existing Better Start Early Intervention Service, parents and carers were forced to pay for exercise physiology treatments out of their own pockets, placing unnecessary financial strain on families who were already under a lot of pressure.
“Families with a disabled child often face significant financial demands when accessing diagnostic, treatment and disability management service,” Mr Bowen said.
“While ESSA commends the previous ALP government for having introduced a number of new initiatives in the disability sector to ease the financial burden on families and carers, it is also crucial that exercise physiology services are listed as a free service to provide children with a disability with a full spectrum of treatment options.”
“Exercise physiology treatment regimes vary based on the specifics of a child’s disability but include activities such as crawling, balancing, catching and throwing a ball, safe-falling practices, water therapy and stretching sessions.”
Mr Bowen said while the new Liberal government had considered young carers in its Policy for Disability and Carers, it had failed to include new policies specifically for young people living with a disability.
“It’s disappointing to see young people with a disability have been largely overlooked in recent rounds of election promises, particularly when intervention at this stage of their lives can have a dramatic impact on their quality of life in both the short and long-term,” Mr Bowen said.
ESSA Spokesperson Chad Timmermans said extensive research conducted by various academics in the exercise physiology field had affirmed that intensive exercise interventions had a positive impact on the physical development of children with disabilities.
“Structured exercise programs are shown to dramatically improve the quality of life and physical capabilities of children with conditions including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and Prader Willi syndrome, as well as other intellectual and physical disabilities,” Mr Timmermans said.
Mr Timmermans regularly prescribes intensive home exercise programs for children with disabilities, with a recent cerebral palsy patient, Anthea Scott, just one of the many Australian children that has benefited greatly from exercise physiology treatments.
Mr Timmermans said when Anthea was age five, her parents were told their daughter would never walk unaided and would require a walker or wheel chair for mobility.
“Despite the verdict, Anthea’s family and friends dedicated two hours each day to implementing an intensive home-exercise program that was designed to improve her physical mobility,” Mr Timmermans said.
“Two years have now passed since commencing the exercise program and Anthea can walk independently, even over rough ground.”
Anthea’s mother Kirsty Scott said her daughter’s gross and fine motor skills had improved markedly as a result of the treatment, as had her confidence.
“The consultations with Chad have contributed greatly to our daughter’s improvements in mobility, muscle strength, control, balance and general development,” Mrs Scott said.
“It requires a lot of dedication, but I would recommend this intervention to any family who is willing to work with their child to help them overcome some of their physical limitations.”
Mr Timmermans said accredited exercise physiologists were recognised by Medicare, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, workers’ compensation authorities, third party insurers and most private health funds, and it was logical for the government to fund their services for children with disabilities.
“Exercise physiology sessions are mainstream allied health treatment options that have proven results; it would be great to see these become more accessible to families with disabled children so these kids are provided with the best possible quality of life.”
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ABOUT ESSA
Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) is the peak professional body for exercise and sports science in Australia and provides national leadership and advocacy on key issues. It supports its 3,500+ members and the community through fostering excellence in professional practice, education, training and research.
Website: www.essa.org.au
Official media spokespeople for this release:
Damien Bowen, Paralympian and Accredited Exercise Physiologist
P: 02 6299 3886
Chad Timmermans, Accredited Exercise Physiologist
P: 0416 113 013
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