Speech

Delayed language
development and
comprehension
Motor
Delayed sitting,
standing, and walk-
ing
Cognitive
Differences in learn-
ing and need for ex-
tra help in educa-
tional activities
Sensory
Difficulty with differ-
ent textures, loud
noises, strong smells,
and certain tastes
Attention and Executive
Functioning
Attention deficits and
learning disabilities
POSSIBLE DELAYS AND
IMPAIRMENTS
Causes:
Possibility increases with decreased
gestational age
Medical Complications
Respiratory Distress
Brain Hemorrhage
Apneic Spells
Immature Eye Development
Reflux
Sensory Overload
Bright Lights
Loud Noises
Soft, Frequent Touches
Prevention of Sensory
Overload:
Keep room light dim
Cover isolette with dark blanket
Talk with soft voices
Use firm, constant touch
Swaddle infant
Keep within boundaries of isolette

Ask your nurse or
Therapist:
When your infant will be
ready for different activities
and play positions
About early intervention
About any concerns you
have
To speak with a NICU
graduates parent
About support groups
For additional information
resources
Samantha McGowan
Northeastern
University
Delays and
Impairments due
to Premature
Birth
Play Positions do while infant is
awake and alert for 2-3 minutes at
a time
Tummy Time place in-
fant on stomach
Side Lying place infant
on right and left side
Supported Sitting hold
infants hands in front of
their body while supporting
their back
Gentle Stretching
Introduce toys with different
textures
Place visually stimulating pic-
tures in crib
Read Books
Play Soft Music
Speak softly

Do not begin these activities
until approved by doctor
or therapist
Activities to do with your
Infant:
A Brief Overview for
Parents of Premature
Infants



Each infant is unique,
please refer to a medical
professional for specific
questions regarding your
child.
Reflective Note:
Delays and Impairments due to Premature Birth: A Brief Overview for Parents is a pamphlet geared toward par-
ents, whose infants are currently being cared for in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This pamphlet would ideally
be handed to parents directly and reviewed by a nurse or physical or occupational therapist. This would allow any un-
known terms to be defined and any questions to be answered. There are a few complex terms that parents of healthy in-
fants may not understand; however, parents of premature infants are exposed to many different medical terms through-
out their infants stay in a NICU stay.
The pamphlet is divided into five different sections. The first section, Possible Delays and Impairments, outlines
the five areas of development that can be affected by premature birth. This makes parents aware of their babys future
may hold. The next two sections, Causes and Prevention give parents some control over their babys care. The
Prevention section offers suggestions of ways parents can help their baby. The next section Ask your Nurse or Thera-
pist, gives parents additional resources and conversation starters. The final section, Activities to do with your Infant,
is similar to the prevention section in that it recommends things that parents can do with their infants that will also bene-
fit their development. The back panel of the pamphlet has a disclaimer that tells parents to ask a medical professional
about the development of their infant. I chose to add this because each infant is unique and when one infant is ready for
play activities another may not. My hope for this pamphlet is to educate parents on the potential for delays and impair-
ments in the infants development and offer suggestions on how they can be involved in their infants care.
The format and pictures are conducive to parent understanding. The sections are divided with bolded headings. I
chose to utilize bullets to keep the information concise and organized. Each section, also, has a picture that helps to por-
tray the purpose of that section. For example, the Activities to do with your Infant section has a picture of different
ways to do infant tummy time.















References
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