In line with the following scientific data and knowledge, it is necessary to plan developmental physiotherapy assessment and treatment, according to the needs and age of infants at risk groups or in infants who are diagnosed such as Cerebral Palsy (CP) at earliest possible.

• According to the data of the World Health Organization, 15 million infants are born premature every year worldwide.
• According to the data of the General Directorate of Public Health of Turkey; more than 180 thousand infants are born premature every year in our country, Türkiye.
• Infants at risks are defined as infants with a history of negative environmental and biological factors, and these factors may cause neuromotor developmental problems.
• It should not be forgotten that an atypical development can be seen in terms of neurodevelopment in infants at risk group.
• Assessments with high level of scientific evidence, can detect the typical and atypical development and neurologic outcome at 2 years of age at the earliest period.
• In the scientific studies that stated early developmental intervention was not performed in the infants at risk group, including premature and low birth weight infants, it was reported that developmental delay was higher compared to their peers from infancy to the preschool period.
• Early neuromotor and developmental function assessments in accordance with the age and needs of infants at risk will help to increase optimal development by enabling age-appropriate early intervention and rehabilitation at the earliest period.
• According to the Prechtl Analysis, which assess “ General Movements” in the first corrected 5 months, spontaneous motor movements are observed without touching the infant, the "General Movements" method has been proven to be the method that "best predicts Cerebral Palsy and developmental disorders in the earliest period (corrected 5 months)".
• Children with neurodevelopmental disorders may have difficulties with language and speech, motor skills, behavior, memory, learning or other neurological functions. Symptoms and behaviors of neurodevelopmental disorders that can be seen in high-risk infants often change or develop as the child grows, while some disabilities may be permanent.
• Early detection and intervention of any delay in the earliest period brings the greatest success at the age of 0-3 years, due to the period when neural plasticity is at its highest.
• It is known that neurodevelopmental improvement is provided in the pre-school period with early developmental intervention in infants.

IS DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR BABY/CHILD REALLY HEALTHY?

Dear Families,

Below, I share with you in general terms which situations consists risks in your baby's development and which need to be evaluated.

Age-appropriate and necessary physiotherapy evaluations are recommended for each of the following risks:

• Was your baby born small?
• Was your baby born premature?
• Do you know that neurological and developmental problems increase as your baby's birth week and weight decrease?
• Was your baby born on time but with difficulty?
• Do you have doubts about your baby's development?
• Do you know if your baby's development is appropriate for his age?
• Do you know that every newborn baby should be assessed and followed up in terms of development?
• Is your baby slow and inactive?
• Does your baby move hard and slow?
• Is your baby's motor development appropriate for his age?
• Is your 3 month old baby not lifting his head?
• Is your 9 month old baby not independent sitting?
• Is your 18 month old baby not walking?
• Does every baby crawl?
• Has your baby not spoken yet?
• Is your baby overly sensitive or under reactive to touch, movement, sights, or sounds?
• Is it difficulty calming self once “wound up”?
• Is your baby very active?
• Does your baby crawl differently?
• Do you force the baby for movement?
• In-toeing and out-toeing?
• Which car seat should you buy?
• Are you holding/handling your baby correctly?
• Are you positioining to sit your baby correctly?
• Does your baby sit differently?
• Does your baby walk on tiptoe?
• Should you use a walker? Which walker can you use?
• Are the toys of your baby with appropriate for his age?
• Do you know that the earliest detection and treatment of any delay in your baby's motor development is at the age of 0-3 years, when neural plasticity (the ability of the brain to repair itself) is at its highest, and it brings the greatest success?
• Do you know that high Cerebral Palsy risk can be defined earliest in the first 5 months by the expert of the subject (Prechtl Analysis) by video analysis of the baby's movements?
• Does your child develop posture disorders as he/she gets older?
• Does your child have delays in speech, motor skills, or academic achievement?
• Coordination problems; appears clumsy or awkward?
• Poor body awareness?
• Difficulty learning new tasks or figuring out how to play with unfamiliar toys?
• Does your child have difficulty with tasks that require using both hands at the same time?
• As a result of these assessments, do you know that treatment is possible?
• Do you know that developmental problems detected in children up to school age can also be treated?