When Hunter was born, his European-speaking parents struggled to provide him with his basic needs. He would regularly spend time in a local safe house however, with no-one present who could speak his language, Hunters needs were also difficult to meet.
When things didnt improve at home, he was placed into foster care at the age of five. His carers were concerned about the delays in his development milestones that had occurred from years of neglect and from his lack of early learning and education in learning English as a second language. Hunter found it difficult to communicate and play in the same way others boys his age did. He needed help to go to the bathroom, dress and to eat correctly. He would frequently wet and soil himself, and use inappropriate sexualised behaviour.
Hunter is now nine years of age and has been a regular visitor to Act for Kids for 18 months. He has remained with his foster carers who are both bilingual and can speak with him in both his native tongue and English. Hunter is well settled into mainstream schooling and, through the hard work of his carers and a team of services, he is now able to chat and play alongside his countless school mates. He still struggles at times and will have phases of wetting and soiling himself however this occurs much less often now.
Hunter has come a long way and still has further milestones to acquire and he enjoys attending Act for Kids regularly. Hunters limited English vocabulary is well accommodated in therapy. Through the use of a translator and play therapy approaches, Hunter is able to use play to express himself and to have himself heard. This is really important for Hunter given his early years of neglect. Hunter finds it difficult to leave the play therapy room each week. He still has a lot more to say, and alot more to explore about himself. Everyone around him can see though that he is really proud of the boy that he has become.
*name changed to protect identity