Autism and developmental delay: support for children 8 and under

Support starts with noticing.

Every child develops differently. If you're concerned about your child's communication, learning, behaviour, movement or social skills, it's okay to ask for help.

Thriving Kids support scheme

Thriving Kids is a new national initiative that will help children and families access support earlier, when it can make the biggest difference.

In the Northern Territory (NT), Thriving Kids will build on existing NT Health Children's Development Teams and Community Allied Health Teams so more children and families can access support earlier, more easily and closer to home.

You don't need a diagnosis to start looking for support.

Thriving Kids and the NDIS

Thriving Kids is not replacing the NDIS.

The NDIS will continue to support children with higher and more complex needs, including those with significant and lifelong disability. Thriving Kids complements the NDIS by strengthening foundational and early supports outside the scheme.

When services start

Thriving Kids services will start from 1 October 2026 , with a staged expansion across the NT.

Full rollout is planned by 1 January 2028, allowing time to build service capacity and ensure quality delivery. A phased approach provides certainty for families.

Available supports

Help is already available today through NT Health's Children's Development Teams and Community Allied Health Teams. Thriving Kids will build on and expand those services.

Thriving Kids supports will be provided under 2 main streams.

  • Targeted supports - for children and families who need intensive support, such as health programs, practical support or physical or speech therapy.
  • General supports - helping children and families access general information, advice and practical support before intensive support may be needed.

Targeted supports will be delivered by NT Health through expanded Children's Development Teams and Community Allied Health Teams across the NT.

These services already support children and families across the NT and will be strengthened through Thriving Kids so more children can access support earlier and more easily. Targeted supports are designed for children and families who need more help than information, advice and parenting support programs alone.

Depending on a child's needs, support may include:

  • speech pathology
  • occupational therapy
  • physiotherapy
  • allied health assistance
  • group-based programs
  • practical support for families and carers
  • health promotion activities
  • flexible services such as drop-in support clinics.

Services will be delivered through a mix of specialist Children's Development Teams in Darwin and Alice Springs and Community Allied Health Teams across regional and remote areas.

See more information about existing NT Health children's therapy services and referrals.

General supports will help children and families access information, advice and practical support earlier, before more intensive services may be needed.

Through Thriving Kids, the NT Government will provide grant funding to trusted community organisations, early childhood providers and other services to deliver general supports for children and families.

General supports may include:

  • information and advice about child development and autism
  • help understanding available services and referral pathways
  • parenting and family support programs
  • peer support for parents, carers and kin
  • online and face-to-face programs
  • local playgroup and community initiatives that support early identification and intervention.

Information about funded providers and available programs will be published as services are commissioned and begin operating.

If you need help now

You do not need to wait for Thriving Kids to seek help.

If you have concerns about your child's development, support is already available through NT Health, your GP and other services that work with children and families.

You can:

  • contact your local Children's Development Team or Community Allied Health Team
  • speak with your GP or child health nurse
  • talk with your child's teacher, early childhood educator or childcare provider
  • discuss concerns with other professionals supporting your family, including allied health professionals, case managers or support workers.

The NT is expanding existing children's development and allied health services through Thriving Kids so more children and families can access support earlier and more easily.

See more information about existing NT Health children's therapy services and referrals.

Drop-in clinic

There is a free drop-in clinic for Darwin and Palmerston residents, available July to December for children 6 and under.

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