Thomas

Rocky Bay Physiotherapist Ty Kowalski says Thomas has come far in the program and loves to give it a good go during therapy.

“Thomas has made some amazing progress. When he started in January, he wasn’t walking, showing delays in certain age-appropriate skills and not talking or making sounds. We were concerned around his mobility and communication levels,” Mr Kowalski says.

“Now with the program, he’s started walking, we’re working on getting up and down stairs, there is improvement in him brushing his teeth and he is engaging in joint play.

“We are making sure his skills increase his function and participation to play as Thomas chooses,” Mr Kowalski says.

Thomas’s 0-6 months goals were to raise two arms with demonstration when putting on or pulling off a t-shirt, to follow one stage instruction – “give me the ball” on three occasions, complete four steps without support to change his position and move towards toys of his choice, be able to start four blocks up.

“Previously he did tend to catch up later than his other NICU friends, but he has come such a long way for the amount of time he’s been with Rocky Bay,” Ms Harman says.

“Generally [kids] start walking around 18 months, and he was just starting to crawl when he turned one and just after his second birthday he started walking. He wasn’t doing any of that before ESIP.

“It felt so exciting to see his first steps. I was filming it and I just screamed so loud.

“I just remind myself that everything he does now, he couldn’t do months ago and that’s what keeps me going,” Ms Harman says.

Rocky Bay’s program sees therapists provide intervention in the home, so a child feels comfortable in their environment, and the family are afforded flexibility in appointments.

Ashleigh shares how an in-home service has made such a positive impact on the family.

“It was exhausting having to drive back and forth all the time to appointments,” Ms Harman says.

“Thomas tends to go quiet when we go to appointments, at home he is in his comfort zone and his safe space. He doesn’t not do something… unless he decides to be stubborn!”

Ashleigh says Rocky Bay Physiotherapist Ty Kowalski and Occupational Therapist Brooke Chamberlain are a big part of their village.

“They have really become like our family; we see them so much and they help so much. It’s nice to have other people cheer Thomas on,” Ms Harman says.

With considerable progress made Thomas’s 6-12 months goals have been set. Thomas’s future goals will include raising two arms while putting on and pulling off a t-shirt, engaging in turn taking during a game of rolling the ball, stepping over a hurdle without support and placing two shapes into the correct hole with verbal and gestural prompt.

Ashleigh describes Thomas as a cheeky playful young boy who loves partaking in Rocky Bay’s playgroups, also part of ESIP.

“He’s so funny, there is never a dull moment with him he just has me in stiches every day,” Ms Harman says.

For more information on Rocky Bay’s Early Start Intervention Program and eligibility, those interested can visit Rocky Bay website or email Early Start Intervention Program Coordinator, Cristina Lee, at [email protected].