Introduction

Some days are good. Some days are not. And some days… are completely unexpected.

If you live with a fluctuating disability or health condition, you already know how hard it can be to plan ahead. You might feel well and independent one week—and need full support the next.

That’s why NDIS flexibility matters.

The NDIS is designed to fund supports based on your functional needs, not just your diagnosis. But if your needs change day-to-day or month-to-month, your plan needs to be designed with adaptability in mind.

In this blog, we’ll explore:

• What fluctuating disability looks like in the NDIS
• How to build a more flexible plan
• What supports to request
• Real-world examples and how Assist Providers can help

🔁 What Is a Fluctuating or Episodic Disability?

These are disabilities or conditions where symptoms, functioning, or support needs vary over time. Examples include:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• ME/CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome)
• Autism with sensory overload
• Bipolar disorder or PTSD
• Chronic pain
• Brain injuries
• Functional neurological disorders

These conditions may involve:

• Fatigue
• Sensory shutdown
• Mental health episodes
• Periods of acute pain or immobility

The NDIS recognises that many people live with non-linear disability experiences.

🧩 Why Flexibility Matters in NDIS Planning

NDIS plans are typically created based on your average needs. But if you experience highs and lows, this average may miss important support moments—especially during flare-ups or crisis periods.

Without flexibility:

• You risk underspending during stable periods
• You may run out of support during a flare
• Supports may be too rigid to meet your real-world needs

🎯 Supports That Can Make Your Plan More Flexible

To build in flexibility, consider requesting the following:

✅ 1. Support Worker Hours with Capacity to Increase

• Include justification for variable support (e.g., 5–15 hrs/week depending on health)
• Use phrases like: “supports required on an episodic basis depending on symptom severity”

✅ 2. Support Coordination

Support coordinators help adapt your supports as needs change, and link you to crisis support if needed.

✅ 3. Therapy Supports with Goal Flexibility

Therapy (OT, physio, psych) can be used in different ways depending on your current status.

✅ 4. Consumables or Assistive Tech to Reduce Demand on Bad Days

E.g., mobility aids, noise-cancelling headphones, communication tools.

✅ 5. Short-Term Accommodation (STA)

Can provide planned or unplanned respite when family or informal supports can’t keep up.

✅ 6. Capacity Building Focused on Energy or Sensory Management

E.g., pacing strategies, mindfulness coaching, functional therapy.

📄 Case Study: Mark, 28, Lives with ME/CFS

Mark’s plan used to be very rigid—just 6 support hours/week. But during flare-ups, he needed double.

With help from Assist Providers, Mark submitted new medical evidence and a daily activity journal showing variability. His updated plan included:

• Flexible support worker hours
• Increased consumables
• Psychosocial recovery coaching
• Support coordination

This helped Mark stay safe and supported—even on the hard days.

🛑 Common Mistakes for Fluctuating Needs

🚫 Describing only your “best days” in planning meetings

🚫 Using vague terms like “sometimes I need help”

🚫 Not showing how bad days impact function

🚫 Forgetting to link fluctuating needs back to your goals

✅ Tips for the Planning Meeting

• Use a symptom diary to show your “low” periods
• Clearly describe how bad days impact function (e.g. can't cook, drive, leave the house)
• Prepare medical letters that confirm the episodic nature of your disability
• Ask for funding to be structured to allow for flexible rostering

Use phrases like: “I need capacity in my plan to respond to my condition, which changes day-to-day.”

🧰 How Assist Providers Can Help

We help participants and providers:

✅ Prepare strong fluctuating needs evidence

✅ Build flexible support worker rosters

✅ Create pacing and support plans

✅ Translate episodic needs into NDIS-friendly language

✅ Avoid underutilisation and underspending

Whether you're a participant or provider, we help you plan for the unpredictable.

🏁 Final Thoughts

Your disability may change from day to day—but your right to consistent, responsive support doesn't.

The NDIS should reflect your real life—not an ideal version of it. That means planning for flare-ups, slow recoveries, or unpredictability.

Need help building a more flexible plan? Let Assist Providers support you through it.