Early Intervention Therapy Services for Infants With or at Risk for Cerebral Palsy

The purpose of this study was to explore the practices physical therapists and occupational therapists use in early intervention (EI) for infants with or at risk for cerebral palsy (CP).

A survey was disseminated nationally to EI providers using an online anonymous link.

Two hundred sixty-nine therapists completed at least 50% of the survey. Four percent of therapists use the General Movement Assessment to predict CP, 57% reported infants at risk for CP receive therapy once a week, 89% identified parents' goals as the most important factor in customizing the EI program, and 75% provide parents with home programs. However, 73% never or rarely use outcome measures to prioritize parents' goals; 31% provide parents with individualized home program and more than 60% never assess environmental enrichment.

Therapists do not incorporate sufficient strategies for goal-oriented interventions, comprehensive parent education, and optimum environmental enrichment.