NW Newborn Clinical Guideline - Developmental Therapists

Reviewed by Gaela Kilgour, Lynette Eaton, and Simon Rowley

May
2002

Designated time for this service is Wednesday morning each week with capacity to respond to urgent referrals within 48 hours as necessary.
A developmental assessment and intervention service is provided by an occupational therapist and physiotherapist for infants who meet the following criteria:

The following four criteria are via medical team referral:

Infants with clearly defined special needs e.g. neuromuscular disease and chromosomal abnormalities
Infants having suffered perinatal asphyxia with HIE
Preterm infants with extra risk factors e.g. grade IV IVH, PVL, difficult or complex course
Long stay infants e.g. 3 months or more with developmental needs

This service may apply to infants described in the "expected" and "at risk" groups outlined in the Community Child Development Service guideline.
Other specific interventions such as splinting or strapping with known diagnoses will occur following discussion with the medical team.
If a child is referred to Community Child Development Services, the developmental therapists will liaise with the appropriate agency and will forward appropriate reports.

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