Advertising feature
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Just two hours after receiving a symbols-based communication device Sophia Harrison was able to express herself for the very first time.
"It was absolutely amazing," her mum Tamara said emotionally.
"All she needed to do was navigate three buttons and she was able to start a conversation. People were able to ask her questions and understand her responses. She was so happy.
"Sophia has had the device for more than a month now and she loves it. The novelty hasn't worn off. She's able to come up to me and tell me things, and I just think wow, that's amazing.
"We can't believe how quickly she has adapted to it and how she understands it's her talker and it's there to help her express herself."
Her parents, Tamara and Gerard, were able to afford the device thanks to funding from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
A year ago Sophia was diagnosed with DiGeorge syndrome, otherwise known as 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.
Still investigating the complexities of her diagnosis, it was evident Sophia had low muscle tone, which was playing havoc with the muscles in her mouth when it came to speech.
"When she's tired she tends to make more sounds from her throat," Tamara said.
"We understand her but others often don't."
The NDIS has made such a massive difference to our lives, and it will continue to make a huge difference in Sophia's life, and we couldn't be more grateful
- Sophia Harrison's mum Tamara
Prior to receiving her communication device, Tamara said Sophia would experience severe meltdowns, absolutely frustrated she couldn't express what she was trying to say.
"It got so overwhelming and often Sophia was inconsolable so I would sit down beside her and cry with her because it was just so hard to see," she said. "It wasn't fair."
Tamara said since Sophia has been with the NDIS, the dynamics in their family home have changed for the better, and she is excited the future is looking much brighter.
"There's certainly a lot more harmony in our house," she said with a laugh.
With the communication device and the regular occupational, physio and speech therapies Sophia now has in her NDIS plan, the Harrison's say they couldn't be happier with the scheme and what it has been able to do for Sophia and their family.
"It's more than we could ever have afforded to provide," Tamara said.
"Sophia starts school in 18 months and we want her to learn how to use the communication device effectively so it will allow her to be part of a mainstream school rather than needing extra assistance."
The NDIS provides Australians under the age of 65 with a permanent and significant disability the supports needed to live an ordinary life and to increase their social and economic participation.