A world-first program for babies with differences in their social and communication skills is aiming to help parents and caregivers better understand the different ways their child communicates.
Launched in Western Australia earlier this year, The Kids Research Institute Australia’s Inklings program is for babies aged 6-18 months who are showing differences in their social interaction and communication development.
Backed by more than a decade of rigorous research, Inklings uses short videos of a caregiver interacting with their baby to help them better understand the different ways their baby communicates. With guidance from a trained practitioner, caregivers learn strategies to build on their own strengths as a responsive communications partner for their baby.
Helping to launch the pilot program, Minister for the NDIS and Government Services Bill Shorten said Inklings aimed to literally change lives. “It’s about as close to a miracle as you can get, because what we see is that if you can help them early enough, you can give them a different trajectory in life,” Mr Shorten said.
The program puts Australia at the head of the world in redefining early childhood supports. What we have learned from Inklings has the potential to change the way we help our littlest Australians who have delays.
The 10-session Inklings program is delivered fortnightly over six months, either in-clinic or via telehealth.
The Inklings program builds on landmark research conducted by The Kids Research Institute Australia, University of Manchester, La Trobe University and CAHS, which found improvements in parent-child interactions and children’s language skills.
Professor Andrew Whitehouse, the Angela Wright Bennett Professor of Autism Research, welcomed the Federal and State Governments’ support of Inklings.