Developmental Assessments - the how, the what, the why

We are pleased to announce our April 2015 workshop will be presented by Dr Catherine Campbell, Clinical Psychologist. Dr Campbell is experienced at conducting developmental assessments of infants that fall under the follow-up program at King Edward Memorial Hospital.  As an interesting side note, she also works with the Australian Men's Hockey Program!

In this workshop, Dr Campbell will help you understand the how, the what and the why of developmental assessments. There will be the opportunity for you to ask questions, although please note this is not an individual consultation session. 

The King Edward Memorial Neonatology Clinical Care Unit provides developmental follow-up for babies who have problems after birth. These may include:

  • Preterm birth (before 32 weeks gestation)
  • Birth-weight less than 1500 grams
  • Major surgery in the neonatal period
  • Seizures or fits
  • Very poor condition at birth
  • Serious illnesses such as meningitis

The program monitors your baby’s progress through early life and provides expert advice and intervention where appropriate. Your baby needs follow-up at regular intervals:

  • Soon after discharge
  • At four months
  • At eight months
  • At 12 months for a detailed developmental assessment (Griffith’s Test)
  • Some babies may be recommended for longer-term follow-up. 

The workshop will be held in Subiaco at the Tom Dadour Centre on Tuesday the 14th of April 2015 at 7pm.  It is open to all families affected by high-risk pregnancy, premature birth or having a sick newborn.  To register for this workshop please visit the registration page.

Talk Time - Building blocks for language development

We are pleased to announce our March 2015 workshop will be presented by Bronwyn Birch, a teacher of the deaf and an auditory verbal therapist who has over 30 years experience working here in Perth and overseas.

Research has shown that the most critical time for a child's development is birth to age four. Having worked with families in early intervention at Telethon Speech & Hearing Centre for the past fifteen years, Bronwyn has developed a program called 'Talk Time'. This program focuses on providing parents, through demonstration and coaching, the confidence to interact with their child knowing they are developing their child's language skills, readiness for school and ultimately academic success.

In our workshop, Bronwyn will provide an introduction to this program designed to teach and coach parents about the building blocks for language development.

The workshop will be held in Subiaco at the Tom Dadour Centre on Tuesday the 10th of March 2015 at 7pm.  It is open to all families affected by high-risk pregnancy, premature birth or having a sick newborn.  To register for this workshop please visit the registration page.

Workshop - Bridging the Gap for Premature Children

Introducing our first workshop for 2015, 'Bridging the Gap for Premature Children'.

Dr Francesca of Synaptic Health will provide an overview of Neuroplasticity or ‘the brain’s ability to change’. She will also explain how we can use this to help our premature babies bridge the development gap.

Dr. Francesca graduated from Murdoch University in 2011 as ‘Dux’ of her class. She completed a three year postgraduate program in functional neurology through the Carrick Institute of Functional Neurology (US), and is a Diplomat of the American Chiropractic Neurology Board (DACNB). She is currently completing a Masters degree in Clinical Neuroscience. Francesca is a Fellow and an Executive Board member of the Australasian Academy of Functional Neurology. Further demonstrating her dedication to the field of neuroplasticity, which involves the brain's ability to change, she has also been a contributing author to a text book in the field of functional neurology and won the COCA undergraduate research award in 2011, together with her research team. Francesca has a special interest in treating infants and children using gentle, safe and effective techniques which may help restore the normal function of their body and help them to operate at their optimum potential.

The workshop will be held in Subiaco at the Tom Dadour Centre on Tuesday the 10th of February 2015 at 7pm.  It is open to all families affected by high-risk pregnancy, premature birth or having a sick newborn.  To register for this workshop please visit the registration page.

Workshop ~ Paediatric Physiotherapy

Does your child appear floppy or loose in the joints? Do they walk on their toes? Do they have difficulty participating in and/or enjoying sport? Is your baby achieving their developmental milestones compared to other babies?

All of these children would benefit from Paediatric Physiotherapy, a sub-speciality of Physiotherapy just for infants, children and adolescents. Paediatric Physiotherapists have Masters level University training in Paediatric Physiotherapy and undertake advanced training in this area. This includes assessment of a wide range of Paediatric conditions and treatment to improve gross motor development, co-ordination and motor skill.

Triston Hunter, Paediatric Physiotherapist of Step Ahead Physiotherapy is also a long standing member of the Physiotherapy Department at Princess Margaret Hospital. She can assist your infant, child or adolescent with low muscle tone, co-ordination problems, idiopathic toe-walking, or gross motor delay with an accurate assessment and then formulate a treatment plan. She can provide treatment in her rooms, in your home or at school, depending on the unique needs of the child and your family.

Triston intends to hone in on Development in Babies 0-18 months with special emphasis on how that is unique in premature or sick infants.  She welcomes your individual questions about children of any age to ensure your particular areas of concern are adequately addressed.  The workshop will be held in Subiaco on Wednesday the 12th of November at 7pm.  It is open to all families affected by high-risk pregnancy, premature birth or having a sick newborn.  To register for this workshop please visit the registration page.

Workshop - Getting back to health after high risk pregnancy or giving birth to a premature or sick baby

Enduring a high risk pregnancy and/or spending hours/days/months beside your baby in the NICU/SCN is without a doubt an exhausting time both emotionally and physically. You should be caring for your own health to ensure you can care for others. Mothers being mothers usually don't follow this advice. They often put their own health at the bottom of the priority list.

Nikki Ranshaw from Peak Pregnancy is both a midwife and a personal trainer. With extensive knowledge of what happens behind those sliding NICU doors, and having cared for many high-risk pregnant mothers, she will provide you realistic, achievable advice that allows you to take the first step in focusing your attention on you.  By doing so, you will be healthier both mentally and physically.

The workshop will be help in Subiaco on Wednesday the 22nd of October at 7pm.  It is open to all families affected by high-risk pregnancy, premature birth or having a sick newborn.  To register for this workshop please visit the registration page.

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