6-12 months
Infants, toddlers

During the period of 6-12 months, a child's motor development becomes particularly important. Early diagnosis of cerebral palsy (MPD) using the HINE scale allows rapid assessment of psychomotor development. Cooperation with professionals makes it possible to refer the child for further diagnosis and implement early therapeutic intervention. The medical team, which includes various specialists, supports the child at every stage, making sure that his progress is constantly monitored and therapy is tailored to individual needs. Functional and goal-oriented therapy, with an appropriate selection of working methods, helps to achieve the child's normal development. If necessary, specialists ensure proper care of the infant, proper positioning and help with the selection of necessary equipment. All these activities are aimed at supporting the child in the development of his or her skills and functions, so that he or she can reach his or her full potential.

Our physiotherapists will be happy to help you with:

• Early diagnosis of cerebral palsy using the HINE method,
• assessment of psychomotor development,
• Cooperation with professionals to direct for further diagnosis,
• Ensuring early intervention and implementing it as soon as possible,
• Cooperation in the medical team - referral to other specialists whose support the child needs,
• constant monitoring of development,
• goal-directed therapy,
• Functional therapy (selection of appropriate methods of working with the child depending on his needs),
• Helping the child to achieve proper development as much as possible,
• Help ensure proper care of the infant,
• Correct positioning for the best development of skills and functions,
• Assistance in selecting the necessary equipment.

During the period of 6-12 months, the development of hand and fine motor functions is crucial for the child's further development. Assessing the child during spontaneous play allows for qualitative analysis of movements, evaluation of eye-hand coordination, upper limb range of motion and superficial sensation. Observation of manipulative abilities, such as different types of grasping, provides valuable information about the child's manual skills.

Working on trunk stabilization and encouraging the child to use supports and higher positions during play are important for the development of fine motor skills. Therapy goals are set together with the parents, and work methods are adapted to the child's current needs. Parents are offered a variety of play options that can support their child's progress during therapy time.

Supportive tools such as kinesio taping, electrostimulation or vibration massagers may be used in therapy. It is also important to assess the need for orthotic supplies, which can further support the development of hand and fine motor functions.

See how we can help you:

• Assessment of the child during spontaneous play, where the focus is on qualitative evaluation of movement, eye-hand coordination, examination of limb ranges of motion
• Upper or superficial sensory examination,
• Assessment of the manipulative abilities of the hand - the types and manner of grasping that the child presents,
• Working on trunk stability and encouraging the child to use supports and other higher positions during play,
• Setting therapy goals with the parent,
• Matching the best method of therapy to the child's current needs,
• Presenting a variety of play options that parents can use at their leisure to support their toddler's progress,
• Supportive tools such as kinesio taping, electrostimulation and vibration massager can be used during therapy,
• Assessing the need for orthotic supplies.

Between 6-12 months, the development of visual function plays a key role in a child's overall development. Functional visual assessment includes evaluation of basic visual functions and parameters, as well as age-appropriate visual-motor skills.

Learning to stimulate a child's visual functioning involves individual selection of toys, the way they are presented, and adaptation of the environment so that they are appropriate to the child's age and current visual abilities. Supporting the learning of movement of a young child with visual disabilities is also an important aspect.

Vision therapy also includes providing guidance to the child's other therapists so that visual stimulation is an integral part of other therapies. In this way, comprehensive support can be provided for the child's visual development, which is crucial for the child's continued progress and independence.

A vision rehabilitator will help you with the following:

• Functional assessment of vision-assessment of basic visual functions and parameters, and age-appropriate visual-motor skills.
• Learning how to stimulate a child's visual functioning - individual selection of toys, the way they are presented and adaptation to the environment appropriate to the child's age and visual functioning.
• Supporting the learning of movement of a young child with visual impairment.
• Tips for the child's other therapists regarding visual stimulation during other therapies.

During the 6-12 month period, supporting parents and families in dealing with their child's developmental challenges is vital. Educating caregivers about the development of the toddler and how to support this process is the foundation of effective care. Assessing the child's psychomotor development and coordinating and organizing psychological and pedagogical therapy allow us to tailor therapeutic strategies to the individual needs of the toddler.

An important element is the evaluation of previous therapeutic measures and their possible modification to provide the best possible support. In the area of communication, identification of the child's needs,diagnosis of communicative competence, building communication systems (AAC) using high- and low-tech tools are key to developing communication skills.

Selecting alternative ways to access equipment and toys through various switches/adapters, as well as working on play organization and selecting appropriate toys in accordance with the child's age and abilities, support psychomotor and communication development. Screening for early detection of holistic developmental disorders allows rapid implementation of appropriate interventions, supporting the harmonious development of the child.

See how we can help you?

• Supporting parents and families in coping with the challenges of the developmental age.
• Educating parents and providing them with knowledge about child development at this age and support options.
• Coordination and organization of psychological and pedagogical therapy.
• Assessment of the child's psychomotor development.
• Evaluation of therapeutic interventions carried out to date and their possible modification.
• AAC - building communication systems based on high- and low-tech tools, diagnosis of communication competence and needs and opportunities in this area.
• Selecting an alternative way to access equipment and toys using different switches/adapters.
• Work on organizing play and selecting age-appropriate toys for the child's needs and abilities.
• Screening for early detection of holistic developmental disorders.

During the 6-12 month period, the process of expanding a baby's diet requires proper support. The selection of feeding positions and appropriate accessories, such as spoons and cups, is crucial for safe and comfortable eating.

At the same time, assessment of speech development and communication skills allows for early support in this area. By working with a gastroenterologist and nutritionist, comprehensive feeding support can be provided, tailored to the individual needs of the child, including in the area related to enteral feeding.

Early support for the development of speech and communication skills through a variety of methods and tools helps the child develop verbal and non-verbal skills, which is essential for his further development.

Working with parents, educating and providing information on proper feeding and supporting speech development, are key elements of effective care for a child at this age.

How can we help you?

• Support during the process of diet expansion, selection of feeding positions, selection of accessories (spoons, cups).
• Assessment of speech development and communication skills.
• Early support for speech development and communication skills.
• In cooperation with a gastroenterologist and nutritionist, nutrition support.

Supporting the development of a child aged 6-12 months may require specialized equipment and technology. Support may include devices to help learn to maintain an upright posture, provide mobility, as well as safety and comfort in daily functioning.

The use of appropriate technology will facilitate the daily care of the child, as well as support his physical development, allowing the implementation of various exercises and therapies tailored to the needs of the toddler.

Our specialist will be happy to assist you in selecting and adjusting the following equipment and space:

• Verticalizers: static, dynamic,
• Wheelchairs: positioning, special, stabilizing, walker, multiposition,
• car seats,
• orthopedic seats,
• Upper and lower limb orthoses,
• tutovia orthoses,
• corsets,
• pelvic orthoses,
• multifunctional devices,
• Wall lifts, ceiling lifts, mobile lifts,
• rehabilitation beds,
• bathroom equipment,
• car adaptation,
• Rehabilitation accessories and devices, i.e. wedges, mattresses, balls, rollers, tapes, electrostimulators, massagers, walkers, crutches, canes.

Supporting parents and caregivers of children aged 6-12 months is important to ensure the harmonious development of the child and maintain the family's mental health. Helping them adapt to their new family situation and supporting them to manage the stress and fatigue associated with caring for a child are invaluable. It is also important to help communicate with siblings and other family members to minimize tensions and provide support for the entire family.

Counseling for early intervention and therapy programs helps parents find the right forms of support for their child. Therapeutic support for parents to cope with the challenges of caring for a child with a disability is essential for maintaining emotional balance.

When parenting differences arise in a parenting couple, the support of specialists helps find common solutions and approaches to raising a child.

Preparing for surgery, both for the child and the parents, allows them to better understand the process and reduce the anxiety associated with it.

At Paley European Institute Neurocenter, we support parents and caregivers in their important role by:

• Assistance in adapting to a new family situation,
• Help to manage the stress and fatigue associated with caring for a child,
• Assistance in communicating with siblings and other family members,
• Consulting on early intervention and therapy programs,
• Therapeutic support to cope with the challenges of caring for a child with a disability,
• parental support when parenting differences arise in a parenting couple,
• preparation for surgery.