Sooner the better!!!
Early intervention is the term used to describe the services and supports that are available to babies and young children with developmental delays and disabilities.
High–risk infants are a group of newborns who are very likely to develop an adverse outcome.
Few factors during birth which go in favour of high–risk infants are as follows:-
- Preterm / Very preterm babies
- Low / Very low birth weight babies
- Hypoxic / Ischemic encephalopathy
Role of occupational therapists in babies:-
1) Teaching positioning of the baby.
2) Teaching infant massage to support bonding with the baby.
3) Helping to know when the baby is ready for touch, movement, and visual stimulation.
4) Helping the baby to use his eyes to follow movements.
5) Helping the baby bring his hands together to hold a bottle and toy.
Occupational Therapists help to bond with the baby and help to develop skills that lay the ground work for achieving future developmental milestones.
Occupational Therapists also perform a screening process of the kids in preprimary grades of the schools which include ‘early identification’ of the kids who may develop developmental disorders or may have learning difficulties.
The age-appropriate physical motor milestones, cognitive development, and sensory aspects are taken into consideration during the screening process. These selected kids are given occupational therapy intervention according to their needs and are helped to achieve age-appropriate milestones.