| Description |
According to the March of Dimes, the United States has a premature birth rate of 9.6% of infants born in 2015. Infants born premature require highly specialized care and often have extended hospital stays. Despite increased survival rates and research developing new technologies and strategies to protect the developing brains of infants, babies born premature are at higher risk for developmental delays, sensory processing weaknesses and other medical complications following discharge. OTs, PTs and SLPs have a unique set of skills to assist with both acute and long term outcomes of premature infants and their families. Therapists must keep abreast of current research, understand how to protect infant brain development to prevent unnecessary complications and also address family dynamic problems as a result of the high stress environment of having an infant in the NICU.
This course offers participants a comprehensive overview of common issues related to the premature infant and how therapists can make a direct impact in the care of the infant and family both during and after hospitalization. Participants will leave with practical techniques to identify sensory, neuromotor, and other developmental impairments in infants and young children. Therapists with all experience levels working with infants will benefit from current research, hands on training for positioning and interventions for post NICU discharge in follow up clinics or early intervention settings.
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