What to Include in Your NDIS Plan if You Have Multiple Sclerosis

What to Include in Your NDIS Plan if You Have Multiple Sclerosis

Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) means navigating changing symptoms, fluctuating needs, and planning for both today and tomorrow. An NDIS plan that truly supports you should reflect the full picture: physical, cognitive, emotional, social. Getting your plan right helps you live better, with greater independence and wellbeing. Here are key areas to include in your NDIS plan if you have MS, and why they matter.

Understanding MS: Common Symptoms & Impacts

Before talking about supports, it’s helpful to understand the types of symptoms and challenges people with MS often experience, which shape what supports are needed:

• Fatigue – often overwhelming and not relieved by rest.

• Mobility, balance and coordination issues – walking, transferring, fatigue walking, risk of falls.

• Spasticity, muscle weakness, stiffness – impacting movement and daily tasks.

• Pain – neuropathic pain or musculoskeletal pain.

• Bladder and bowel dysfunction / Continence issues.

• Cognitive changes – difficulties with memory, attention, processing speed.

• Speech, swallowing in some cases.

• Mood, emotional wellbeing – anxiety, depression can accompany MS.

• Heat sensitivity can worsen symptoms.

What to Include in Your NDIS Plan

Here are the supports and considerations you should try to build into your NDIS plan to cover the impact of MS, now and in the future. These align with “reasonable and necessary supports” under the scheme.

Area	Support / Service	Why It’s Important
Mobility & Physical Function	Physiotherapy (ongoing, to maintain strength, mobility, manage spasticity). Occupational therapy (adaptive strategies, task modification, energy conservation). Exercise programs: land-based, hydrotherapy / water-based exercise. Mobility aids: walking frames, wheelchairs, orthoses, assistive devices. Home modifications: accessible bathrooms, ramps, grab rails, slip resistance.	Helps preserve mobility, reduce risk of falls, maintain independence, manage fatigue, preserve quality of life. The MS Society offers hydrotherapy classes and exercise groups to help with strength, mobility and balance.
Symptom Management & Health Care	Cognitive rehabilitation or therapy. Assistive technology: for memory, schedules, reminders. Speech pathology. Communication aids if needed.	Cognitive issues can interfere with daily life, employment, safety. It helps to have tools and therapies in plan.
Cognitive & Communication Supports	Cognitive rehabilitation or therapy. Assistive technology: for memory, schedules, reminders. Speech pathology. Communication aids if needed.	Cognitive issues can interfere with daily life, employment, safety. It helps to have tools and therapies in plan.
Assistive Technology & Equipment	Mobility aids, ergonomic furniture, standing frames. Environmental controls (e.g. switches, remote-controlled devices) as required. Communication devices. Adaptive equipment for daily living (e.g. bath/shower chairs, grab rails).	Proper equipment reduces risk of injury, makes tasks easier, conserves energy.
Support Coordination & Plan Management	Support coordination to help you use the plan effectively: connecting with service providers, negotiating changes, navigating reviews. Plan management (financial tracking, paying providers).	Living with MS often means that needs change, this helps you adapt the plan over time. The MS Society offers NDIS support coordination.
Daily Living & Self-Care	Personal care services (if needed). Assistance with household tasks (cleaning, laundry) when mobility or fatigue prevent doing them. Meal preparation services / supports. Transport assistance, especially for medical appointments.	Preserves independence and safety; guaranteed realistic supports for times when MS fatigue or mobility limit you.
Social, Emotional & Wellbeing Supports	Counselling/psychological therapy. Peer support groups (“newly diagnosed” support). Programs & workshops for social inclusion, connection. Lifestyle coaching: managing fatigue, stress, sleep. Access to information & education about MS.	Emotional health is very important; reducing isolation, improving coping strategies, and being informed all contribute to quality of life. The MS Society runs peer dinners, connection programs, education.
Functional Goals & Vocational Supports	Goals that address employment, if that’s something you want and are able. Disability employment services. Skills training, retraining, adaptations in the workplace. Supports for study or volunteer participation.	Many people with MS still work, volunteer, study. Supporting that helps you stay active, engaged, financially independent where possible.
Review & Flexibility Provisions	R egular plan reviews (at least annually, or sooner if symptoms change). C ontingency funding or flexibility for fluctuating needs (relapses, changes in condition). Support for re-assessment of equipment or modifications as your needs change.	MS is unpredictable; being able to adapt your supports and services is essential.

Tips for Planning & Getting the Most Out of Your Meeting

• Prepare a pre-planning document: list your symptoms, limitations, what you can’t do, what helps, what services you already use or tried.

• Use evidence & reports: medical reports, therapy assessments, physiotherapy, OT, MS nurse reports.

• Be clear about your goals: mobility, independence, quality of life, participation in work/social life. Having clear goals helps justify “reasonable and necessary” supports.

• Include lived-experience language: describing how fatigue, pain, balance or cognitive changes affect your life daily. This helps planners understand real impact.

• Know current supports: what works, what doesn’t. What you anticipate needing in the future.

• Engage a support coordinator if possible, especially one with experience in MS.

What NOT to Forget

• Don’t assume common things are obvious: e.g., bladder issues, heat sensitivity, cognitive fatigue.

• Don’t leave out supports for emotional/mental health and social participation.

• Don’t skip building in flexibility for changes (relapses) or worsening/increasing needs.

• Don’t neglect transport or assistance for attending medical/appt/therapy sessions.

How A1 Coordination Can Help

At A1 Coordination, we specialise in helping people with neurological conditions like MS to build strong, responsive NDIS plans. We can:

• Assist with pre-planning for your planning meeting.

• Help you document your needs, symptoms and goals.

• Connect you to MS-specialised therapy providers (physio, OT, speech).

• Advise on assistive technology and home modifications.

• Coordinate supports and ensure your plan has flexibility.

MS is complex and affects each person differently. A good NDIS plan doesn’t just cover the basics, it anticipates change, supports participation, addresses symptoms (both physical and cognitive), and promotes wellbeing. If you include the types of supports above, align them with your life goals, and build in flexibility, your plan is far more likely to help you live well with MS, today and into the future.

Ready to make your plan review stress-free and successful?

Contact us today and let our Support Coordinator walk you through every step: organising documents, updating goals, and building a strong case so your NDIS plan reflects your real-life needs.

Get in touch now, let’s make your review work for you.

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