Coen is 5 years old, he has experienced behavioural and developmental issues since birth that only begun to be formally addressed at the age of four.

Coen was born into a vulnerable family environment, during his first year his mother identified that he was born with complications and he had challenges with feeding but as a teenage mother and with little support around her, she had difficulties navigating Western Australia’s health system to seek early intervention. 

 

At the age of 3, Coen was enrolled in an early learning centre but was asked to leave due to his challenging behaviours which staff were unable to manage. Shortly after he was admitted to hospital for severe asthma and upon discharge his mother was issued with a letter stating ‘suspected Global Developmental Delay’ however no referrals or follow ups to investigate his possible behavioural and developmental issues were made.

 

Coen was once again enrolled in an early learning centre and it was here where Educators immediately identified that he was developmentally delayed across multiple areas and required urgent support to allow him to develop in a healthy way and minimise the impact on future outcomes.

 

Coen’s mum did not have any relationships with a GP, Community Child Health Nurse or any developmental services; the Centre strongly supported her to connect with these services and then progress further referrals through the Child Development Service. Unfortunately, extensive public waitlists and interruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic stalled access to a developmental assessment and support.

 

As there was insufficient documentary evidence from a health professional to confirm Coen’s conditions the Centre was unable to access long term funding or support for him under the Inclusion Support Program (ISP). 

 

By this stage, it was time for Coen to be enrolled in Kindy; his mother sought to enrol him in a local public school but as the school was unable to access disability services and support through the Department of Education to meet Coen’s needs, the school recommended he remain enroled at the early learning centre for another year. 

 

The Centre continued to work with Coen’s mother to seek the support he requires. A breakthrough was made when Wanslea Early Childhood Early Intervention were able to provide an initial assessment indicating Coen is on the 3^rd percentile across multiple developmental domains. He is now receiving support from a speech pathologist and occupational therapist however he is still awaiting a formal diagnostic assessment which continues to impact educational access. 

 

Coen is due to attend compulsory Pre-Primary in 2022. The Centre has assisted his mother to facilitate the enrolment but it has been agreed by both the School and Centre that Coen would be best placed in an Education Support Unit which requires a formal diagnostic assessment.