Performance of Physiotherapy Through Early Stimulation in High Risk Babies. Experience Report on the Insertion of this Elective Internship Program for Physiotherapy Students

Introduction: Early Stimulation is a term that covers a variety of stimuli that help the motor and cognitive development of infants and children. It can be defined as a multi-professional monitoring and treatment program that stimulates sensorimotor development and family-infant integration. Aim: To report the teaching experience during the training process in preparation for the diagnosis of dysfunction in high-risk babies, and to carry out higher education programs of early stimulation for casuistry. Method: Initially, eighth period physical therapy students chose the discipline. For the internship, infants registered in the physiotherapy clinic system at the University where the students attend, located in the interior of the state of São Paulo/Brazil, were selected. All babies were evaluated according to the Alberta Infant Motor Scale, and a family-centered intervention was performed in order to participate in this program. Considerations: The programs about early stimulation are beneficial for any newborn at risk presented with conditions that worsen their neuromotor health development, such as prematurity, among other brain diseases. The family plays a key role in this process, since stimulation must be continued at home. The involvement of the undergraduate physiotherapy student was fundamental for their learning. This also contributes to the society in which we live by intervening at the right time, so that the child has a better opportunity for a favorable development.
Keywords: Early Stimulation; High Risk Babies; Physiotherapy