The case studies below share great outcomes achieved by Carpentaria therapists working alongside participants and their families to achieve individual goals and therapy targets.
Specialised equipment supports development
Logan* was born with hydrocephalus (fluid build-up within the brain) and his medical team anticipated an extremely short life expectancy. However, Logan was fortunate to make a stable recovery and a cohesive multi-disciplinary approach was established to meet his needs and enable him to continue to live with his family in a remote community. A Carpentaria Occupational Therapist, a Physiotherapist from Nhulunbuy and the community health care team were engaged to provide ongoing support. Logan and his family accessed loan equipment from Carpentaria’s Paediatric Equipment Program (CPEP) to manage their immediate needs whilst in community. This facilitated safe bath, meal and play time in between therapist visits. Access to the equipment allowed Logan’s family to become confident using each piece, and to see how these items benefited Logan, and the trialled equipment was purchased for continued use. On a recent visit to Darwin, Logan and his family trialled additional CPEP equipment to meet his changing needs. As Logan grows, larger items will be ordered and equipment that is no longer suitable will be returned to CPEP to support another child’s development.
*Name changed
Communication improves quality of life
As a young non-verbal boy with cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability, Noah* did not have the opportunity to access Speech Pathology or other Allied Health therapy to support his development. He was reliant on the people around him to interpret his facial expressions, vocalisations and body language to address his needs. Now as a middle-aged man living in Supported Independent Living, Noah’s NDIS plan allows for regular visits from a Carpentaria Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist to build his communication systems and enhance his interaction with his flatmates and the wider community. Through regular and scheduled visits, Noah’s therapists have facilitated the use of a switch for Noah to communicate, allowing greater choice and autonomy during his day. Noah can also use a switch to control items such as an iPad, fan, lights and a blender, providing him with an improved sense of wellbeing. Noah’s Speech Pathologist is supporting him to continue to explore other forms of Augmentative and Alternative Communication tools to communicate with those around him.
*Name changed
It's always a good day when a client achieves a new goal — recently a 7-year-old client of mine said 'mum' for the first time which was really special.
Megan, Speech Pathologist
Your work has and is continuing to make such a huge impact on us.
Anna*, mother.