Campbell S, Girolami G, Nelson M, Sarwark J, Gardner H; PATHWAYS AWARENESS FOUNDATION, CHICAGO, IL USA. Friends@pathwaysawareness.org.

PURPOSE: Enhancing the quality of life for children with physical movement differences by offering a tool to educate parents about the benefits of early detection and intervention is an essential role of the practitioner. Our Foundation can assist health care providers in attaining this goal. FOUNDATION: We utilize a self-produced brochure, Assure the Best for your Baby’s Physical Development, formerly known as Is My Baby Okay?, in conjunction with low-cost distribution opportunities to inform parents and the medical community about the early signs of physical movement disorders. The Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics endorses the brochure, written by the Foundation’s Medical Roundtable team of experts. Our Medical Round Table consists of leading physicians, therapists, nurse practitioners and lay advisors, who are sensitive to the medical and emotional needs of infants and children with physical movement differences, including cerebral palsy, and their families and/or caregivers. DESCRIPTION: The centerpiece of the brochure is a unique chart with an illustrated comparison of postural and movement milestones of typically developing infants, juxtaposed with illustrations of postures associated with atypical development. The brochure also allows parents to track their child’s physical, play and speech development from three to fifteen months of age. Additional written text advises parents about the benefits of early detection and therapy, and our "parent answered" toll-free number is provided for questions and recommendations for additional resources. OBSERVATIONS: Over 1.7 million copies of the brochure, available in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese, have already been distributed nationally and internationally. Early Intervention offices in each state have received complimentary copies, and many currently use it to fulfill the Child Find obligation of IDEA. Five Chicago area hospitals include the brochure in their newborn gift box, and collaboration with the Offices of the Governor of Illinois and the Mayor of Chicago permits versions of the brochure to be mailed to every parent of an infant born in the state of Illinois. CONCLUSIONS: Education of pediatric health care professionals and parents regarding early detection and intervention can save precious time, permitting children with movement disorders to achieve a higher level of function and improved quality of life. As we spread the word about early therapy, more children will have the opportunity to achieve their full potential. FUNDING SOURCE: None.

Copyright 2004 by the American Physical Therapy Association

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