Two young people’s experiences show why care works better when services connect around their individual needs.
For young people with complex developmental, behavioural and wellbeing needs, access to services is only part of the answer. Those services also need to work together.
Alex* and Charlie* are Djarragun College students who have received care through Ngak Min Health.
Both have ADHD, along with significant challenges with emotional regulation. Their needs affect how they learn, build relationships, participate in education and manage daily life. Their experiences also include trauma and significant challenges within their home environments.
Both students attended Ngak Min for a health check, SDQ and K10 assessments, which identified the need for further assessments to be completed. This includes psychometric testing by a clinical psychologist and a Paediatrician review.
Assessments identified difficulties across learning, self-management, social interaction and participation in education, as well as a need for support, including occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychology, trauma-focused therapy, paediatric care and longer-term developmental support.
Before and during their involvement with Ngak Min Health, Alex and Charlie had contact with a range of health, wellbeing and education services. Their needs crossed several areas, making coordination an important part of their care.
Ngak Min Health worked with Alex and Charlie to bring these areas of care together, rather than treating their health, development, behaviour and wellbeing as separate issues.
Their care included structured health and mental health planning, follow-up from Aboriginal Health Workers, Social and Emotional Wellbeing support and coordination with other services involved in their care.
From the moment these students became patients of Ngak Min Health, both the student and their families were engaged in the process and attended routine medical appointments, SEWB sessions and support. They had referrals to other services, regular multidisciplinary case conferencing and transport where required.
This coordination was important because their needs were closely connected. Developmental challenges affected communication and learning; difficulties with emotional regulation influenced relationships and participation at school; and experiences of trauma affected behaviour and wellbeing.
All the above, plus greater engagement from the parents. Ngak Min Health reduces barriers to facilitate access to and coordination of healthcare services.
Their care with Ngak Min Health is continuing.
Alex and Charlie’s experiences are not about a single intervention or a simple outcome. They show why young people with complex needs benefit when health, development, education and wellbeing are considered together, with services working in a coordinated way around each individual.
When needs are connected, care should be too.
*Names have been changed to protect privacy.
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