Optimizing Early Intervention for Infant Development

Upon discharge from the hospital, families of infants with special needs are often instructed to begin physical, speech, and occupational therapies. Early intervention is key for these babies in reaching their highest potential level of development.

A board-certified music therapist can be a valuable addition to an infant’s care team by optimizing wellness and learning.

In every session, music therapists who have been trained in NICU or infant developmental music therapy provide nervous system support to ensure that the baby is not overstimulated and address any crankiness or pain with soothing lullaby. A calmly alert or happily engaged state is foundational to learning and growth.

Next, music therapy can integrate developmental goals from other care team members into sessions. For example, they may address a rolling over goal from physical therapy or a verbalizing “mama” goal from speech therapy. Music is intrinsically motivating and enjoyable, so when applied correctly, it can support faster acquisition of physical and communicative skills. This is largely due to the fact that music stimulates so many areas of the brain simultaneously. A music therapist remains carefully attuned to signs of overstimulation throughout the session, ensuring that integration of developmental goals feels more like play than hard work.

Cameron Wood, MT-BC in a music therapy session in the home of an infant in the Bay Area with developmental support needs following discharge from a children’s hospital.