A shake-up to support for autistic children risks repeating mistakes of the past and overlooking some kids with less-severe needs.

That's the verdict from leading advocates and parents at a parliamentary inquiry into the government's Thriving Kids program, which is being rolled out to shift some children with autism off the strained National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The program is meant to provide support and intervention through mainstream channels, such as general practitioners and schools, from mid-2026 amid broader concerns about the rising cost to taxpayers of the NDIS.

Jenny Karavolos, who has an autistic child and is the chief executive of Disability Advocacy and Complaints Service South Australia, said she was worried children with mild to moderate needs would be overlooked.

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