The featured course below was recorded in 2019 by the irreplaceable Dr. Heidi Als. We remain honored that she was willing to share her focused passion and lifetime of transformative research in this way. There is nothing like studying with a master. We are grateful that this course continues to provide that opportunity while reconnecting us with her quiet but indomitable presence that is so missed by so many.
“Having the theory discussed by the creator helped to pull it all together for me. I appreciated the discussion on brain structure and the images of the different species also helped deepen my understanding. The presentation was masterfully done to highlight the pertinent information concisely and understandably. Thank you, Dr. Als!” – Christine Osaki, PT
“This course was amazing. The entire presentation was delivered at the perfect level for understanding and captivated me from beginning to end.” – Kelli Dupps, OTR/L
Course Title: The Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) – Promise to Protect the Preterm Brain
Speaker: Heidelise Als, PhD
Course Description: This presentation will inform the listener of the importance of reading the newborn infant’s behavioral language astutely. The infant’s language is the primary route of communication that aids the caregiver in understanding the infant’s own goals as well as the infant’s thresholds to disorganization and the strategies the infant brings to regaining balance and regulation.
The listener will also learn about the ways that care and the environment support and protect or challenge and threaten the immature infant’s brain development. The importance of the parents in nurturing and regulation of their infants at all times will be highlighted. The implications of this model of care, referred to as The Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program or NIDCAP, for the nursery as a collaborative system are the adherence to a nurturing and supportive philosophy of and care for the infant, the family and the caregiver, as well as the environment. Self-assessment and prioritizing next steps in order to manage improvements paired with reflection in action is the model underlying the NIDCAP Nursery concept. A NIDCAP Nursery assures the kind of care that all infants and families as well as all staff deserve and count on.
Target Audience: OT, SLP, PT, RN, MD and Neonatal professionals
Level: Intermediate
CE Credit: PT, OT, SLP – 2 hours
Course Fee: Free for NANT Members/$57 for Non-Members
Objectives:
- Describe preterm infants’ behavioral language signs of organization and disorganization, and its brain-based nature.
- Recognize infant behavior as a valuable source for structuring and implementing high-quality, sensitive, individualized care, and its positive effect on the brain.
- Identify 2 opportunities for improvement and change in care planning and delivery system-wide.
- Describe the care-based processes involved in the protection of the immature infant’s brain in development.
Instructional Method: Recorded webinar with handouts. Learning assessment and course evaluation follow course.
“It was very educational on how to help protect the neurodevelopment of our NICU infants by observing, interpreting, and responding appropriately to an infant’s behaviors.” - Stacie Pinckney, MS, CCC-SLP
