Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L00188:clause:1_30:p2
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L00188
Segment Type: clause
Provision Reference: sch 1 cl 30 (pt 2/3)
Character Range: 85497–88774

self-stimulatory behaviour in all environments.

                 (i)                  social skills

                 Example: the person has extreme difficulty reading non-verbal communication (such as gestures or facial expressions), interacting with others and shows a lack of awareness of social norms and expectations.

                 (j) self-awareness.

                 Example: the person has very poor or no awareness of own limitations resulting in frequent and serious risks to self or others.

Table 8 – Communication Function

Introduction to Table 8

       * Table 8 is to be used to assess the functional impact of a diagnosed condition affecting communication functions.

       * The diagnosis of the condition causing the impairment must be made by an appropriately qualified medical practitioner.

       * In this Table, communication may be verbal or in conjunction with alternative or augmentative communication systems (such as sign language, which may be a recognised sign language such as Auslan, electronic speech, communication symbols, writing or other non-verbal communication methods).

       * There must be corroborating evidence of the person's impairment.

       * Self-report of symptoms must be supported by corroborating medical evidence.

       * Examples of corroborating evidence for the purposes of this Table include, but are not limited to, the following:

         * a report from the person's treating doctor;

         * a specialist assessment by a speech pathologist, neurologist or psychologist;

         * a report from a medical specialist confirming diagnosis of conditions associated with communication impairment (such as stroke (cerebrovascular accident (CVA)), other acquired brain injury, head, neck or throat cancer, cerebral palsy, neurodegenerative conditions, or damage to the speech-related structures of the mouth, vocal cords or larynx);

         * results of diagnostic tests (such as X-Rays or other imagery);

         * results of functional assessments.

       * If the person uses recognised sign language or other non-verbal communication method as a result of hearing loss only, the person's hearing and communication function should be assessed using Table 11.

       * If the impairment affecting communication function is due to impairment in intellectual function, only Table 9 must be used.

       * In this Table, main language means the language that the person most commonly uses.

       * In this Table, communication or communication functions means receptive communication (understanding language) or expressive communication (producing speech).

       * When determining whether a descriptor applies that involves a person performing an activity, the descriptor applies if that person can do the activity when they would be expected to do so and not only once or rarely.

       * When assessing episodic or fluctuating impairments and conditions, a rating must be assigned which reflects the overall functional impact of those impairments, taking into account the severity, duration and frequency of the episodes or fluctuations as appropriate.

       * Assistance means assistance from another person rather than any aids or equipment the person may use, unless specified