Hayden was born full term on the 28th September 2009 but he did require oxygen.  He is now an 8 year old boy who has a younger brother Jared.

His diagnoses were:

• at 3 weeks, bilateral severe to profound hearing loss;
• at 3 months, physical disability;
• at 12 months, Global Developmental Delay;
• at 4 years: Oral and Limb Dyspraxia; and
• at 7 years: Cerebral Palsy

Australian Hearing managed the fitting and ongoing support Hayden required for his hearing aid/s and his F.M. system.

The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children provided Hayden and his family with Early Intervention services related to his hearing impairment.

Australian Hearing referred Hayden and his family to MREIC in October 2002 when he was 26 months old and he was enrolled at MREIC in October 2003.

At MREIC Hayden and his family received an Individalised Program based on the COMBINE Methodology including the following:

• Cochlear Implant candidacy evaluation
• Ongoing audiological services for his Cochlear Implant
• individual and group sessions involving physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, early childhood education
• parent support and education
• transition to pre-school/school support
• ongoing individual sessions to address speech, language, play and movement

Hayden received his Cochlear Implant just before his third birthday.  His switch-on and ongoing MapPing was provided by The Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre but took place at MREIC with Hayden’s parents and MREIC case-manager.

Hayden had been introduced to signing but due to his motor planning difficulties this was difficult for him to develop. Following his Cochlear Implant Hayden learned to integrate listening into all of his waking hours. This was accomplished through intensive Auditory Verbal Therapy with his parents, who ensured that all of his therapy goals and objectives were carried over into the home setting.

Hayden’s mother worked in true partnership and felt comfortable in reporting what worked and what didn’t and how she was able to change therapy ideas to meet the family environment.  

Although Hayden’s receptive language developed well he was very delayed in terms of expressive language due to his oro motor planning issues. He required an individualized program to meet his needs. The Nuffield Program was adapted to suit the Auditory Verbal Program and his speech pathologist from RIDBC was also involved. Over time this program promoted feeding and spoken language.

Hayden’s physical needs made it very difficult for him to develop play and he required a program that targeted motor planning and gross/fine motor skills to facilitate the his ability to sit, stand, roll, crawl, walk, jump, carry objects and explore his environment and manipulate toys and objects.
At MREIC Hayden’s brother Jared was included in both individual sessions and group sessions until he was ready for pre-school. This was invaluable as Jared was a great language model and it enhanced their relationship.
At Hayden’s local pre-school the staff made sure that he was included in all aspects of the pre-school community. Staff from RIDBC and MREIC worked collaboratively with the pre-school staff to make sure Hayden’s audition, communication and physical needs were met.

Transition to school was well planned with the receiving school, MREIC and the Hearing Support teacher for the school. Hayden’s parents selected a special school that had a two year Start Right Program. The Start Right Program is designed to prepare special needs children for inclusion in regular school. Hayden did well in The Start Right Program. He also continued with an after school program at MREIC. The MREIC program was designed to develop higher level listening, language, speech, literacy and numeracy skills and his motor development including play.

Hayden was diagnosed as having a global developmental delay and although formal assessments suggest that he still has a mild developmental delay his reading, spelling and maths skills are developing well. Hayden attends his regular local primary school and he is able to read at a grade one level with fluency and comprehension. Hayden is now enjoying play and has had the confidence to speak at school assembly.