You know your baby best

Fraser Collyer-Petale was just 10 months old when his mum, Shanyn Collyer-Petale, noticed subtle differences in the way he communicated. Compared to his older sister, he wasn’t babbling, and he didn’t seem to be meeting the same developmental milestones. 

“I didn’t really notice anything unusual at first,” Mrs Collyer-Petale said. “But as he got a bit older, there were small things – like not babbling or responding the way I expected – that started to raise some red flags.” 

After watching a news segment about Inklings, an evidence-based program developed at The Kids Research Institute Australia which supports babies aged 6 to 18 months who show early differences in how they communicate and relate to others - Mrs Collyer-Petale decided to reach out. 

Inklings is a 10-session program that helps caregivers better understand and respond to their baby’s unique ways of connecting.  

It involves short video recordings of the baby’s interactions, followed by guided reflection sessions with a trained practitioner who supports families to recognise and build on these early communication attempts. 

Since the pilot program began in 2023 – and following its official launch in February 2024 by the then Federal NDIS and Government Services Minister Bill Shorten and WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson – Inklings has received more than 450 inquiries from families across Western Australia.

“The program was incredibly valuable,” Mrs Collyer-Petale said.  “It wasn’t just about Fraser – it was about helping me see how he was trying to communicate, in ways I might not have recognised otherwise.” 

The ten sessions became a special bonding time for mother and son. 

“There was one moment where they were playing a ‘ready, set, go’ game, and I realised he was saying ‘go’ in his own way,” Mrs Collyer-Petale said.

“It was something I never would have noticed if it wasn’t pointed out. Those little moments made such a difference.” 

Now, Mrs Collyer-Petale and her family take a more intentional approach to communication. 

“We’re much more tuned in. We try to pause, observe, and really take notice of the small cues or attempts at interaction,” she said.

“It was lovely to spend one-on-one time with Fraser and really focus on him and his needs. It brought us closer together.”

Inklings General Manager Gemma Upson said the program built on years of research into early childhood development. 

“Inklings is all about helping every child reach their full potential, and our goal is to give this opportunity to as many babies as possible, both across WA and beyond,” she said. 

Interested caregivers can either be referred by a health professional or enquire directly to Inklings to see if they are eligible to participate.

Mrs Collyer-Petale’s advice to other families is simple: “You know your baby best. Just go for it.”