What kinds of behavioral responses might you see during infant massage when utlilizing light touch?
Answer
Occupational therapists are trained in the areas of sensory processing and integration. Typically, patients can have a low threshold to light touch and can have adversive reactions to it. It can also be a positive and stimulating experience preparing them for activity. However, if they cannot tolerate light touch, we might see responses such as: withdrawing, pulling away or arching of the back. It is important to teach the parent or caregiver these positive and negative cues to help them be more responsive and successful with infant massage in the home. Teaching them certain positive signs to look for will allow them to have more family social participation in the activity.
There are certain parts of the body that you want to start with in massage and an order in which to provide the best stimulation (provided on a slide in the course). The face is an area that is very sensitive and that would not be an area to begin treatment.
By looking at the cues the infant is providing and proceeding in a specific manner will maximize their participation and overall success.
Jennifer Pitonyak, PhD, OTR/L, SCFES, CIMI
Jennifer Pitonyak has over 14 years of clinical experience as an occupational therapist in a diversity of practice settings, including early intervention and the neonatal intensive care unit. She holds specialty certification in feeding, eating, and swallowing from AOTA, and is a Certified Infant Massage Instructor. She is currently on the faculty at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, where in addition to teaching, she collaborates with community partners to develop occupational therapy programs for infants and families. She recently completed doctoral studies in health policy with research on the social and contextual factors that impact breastfeeding duration. Her clinical and research interests include infant and family mental health.
Related Courses
1https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/joint-hypermobility-syndromes-assessment-and-5376Joint Hypermobility Syndromes: Assessment and InterventionThis course will cover upper extremity assessment and treatment strategies for the pediatric/young adult population affected by joint hypermobility syndromes. The treatment focuses on both orthopedic strategies along with adaptive methods for these individuals.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyOccupationalTherapy.comwww.occupationaltherapy.comJoint Hypermobility Syndromes: Assessment and InterventionThis course will cover upper extremity assessment and treatment strategies for the pediatric/young adult population affected by joint hypermobility syndromes. The treatment focuses on both orthopedic strategies along with adaptive methods for these individuals.5376OnlinePT60M
'I appreciated the presenter's expertise and her ability to present course information concisely'Read Reviews
AOTA/0.1 Intermediate, OT Service Delivery, 03594; CE Broker/1.0 General (FL), Patient Related (AL), General Continuing Education (GA), Direct Client/patient Services In Occupational Therapy (SC), Related To OT (AZ), Related To OT (LA), Directly Related To OT (MS), Directly Related To OT (TN), CE Broker #20-894959; IACET/0.1; NBCOT PDUs/1.25 Intermediate, Rehabilitation
This course will cover upper extremity assessment and treatment strategies for the pediatric/young adult population affected by joint hypermobility syndromes. The treatment focuses on both orthopedic strategies along with adaptive methods for these individuals.
2https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/foundations-for-school-readiness-sensory-3841Foundations for School Readiness: Sensory Regulation and Yoga (Day 1)This course will provide you tips and tools to integrate sensory regulation, yoga and mindfulness into the classroom for children of all abilities.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyOccupationalTherapy.comwww.occupationaltherapy.comFoundations for School Readiness: Sensory Regulation and Yoga (Day 1)This course will provide you tips and tools to integrate sensory regulation, yoga and mindfulness into the classroom for children of all abilities.3841OnlinePT60M
AOTA/0.1 Introductory, OT Service Delivery, Foundational Knowledge; CE Broker/1.0 Home Study, General (FL), Patient Related (AL), General Continuing Education (GA), Direct Client/patient Services In Occupational Therapy (SC), Related To OT (AZ), Related To OT (LA), Directly Related To OT (MS), Directly Related To OT (TN), CE Broker #20-670392; IACET/0.1; NBCOT PDUs/1.25 Beginner, Pediatrics
3https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/assessment-and-intervention-for-tethered-5377Assessment and Intervention for Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs) in Feeding TherapyThis course will provide foundational review of information about anatomy and physiology of Tethered Oral Tissues and the functional implications that can impact feeding. Additionally, the course will prepare clinicians to support feeding goals and outcomes by improving their ability to assess and provide intervention for Tethered Oral Tissues.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyOccupationalTherapy.comwww.occupationaltherapy.comAssessment and Intervention for Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs) in Feeding TherapyThis course will provide foundational review of information about anatomy and physiology of Tethered Oral Tissues and the functional implications that can impact feeding. Additionally, the course will prepare clinicians to support feeding goals and outcomes by improving their ability to assess and provide intervention for Tethered Oral Tissues.5377OnlinePT60M
AOTA/0.1 Intermediate, OT Service Delivery, Foundational Knowledge, 03380; CE Broker/1.0 General (FL), Patient Related (AL), General Continuing Education (GA), Direct Client/patient Services In Occupational Therapy (SC), Related To OT (AZ), Related To OT (LA), Directly Related To OT (MS), Directly Related To OT (TN), CE Broker #20-871805; IACET/0.1; NBCOT PDUs/1.25 Intermediate, Pediatrics
This course will provide foundational review of information about anatomy and physiology of Tethered Oral Tissues and the functional implications that can impact feeding. Additionally, the course will prepare clinicians to support feeding goals and outcomes by improving their ability to assess and provide intervention for Tethered Oral Tissues.
4https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/foundations-for-school-readiness-visual-3842Foundations for School Readiness: Visual and Fine Motor Skills (Day 2)Participants will learn how fine motor and visual motor skills and development affect students' ability to access curriculum. Practical strategies and treatment interventions will be presented to improve students' function in academic related tasks.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyOccupationalTherapy.comwww.occupationaltherapy.comFoundations for School Readiness: Visual and Fine Motor Skills (Day 2)Participants will learn how fine motor and visual motor skills and development affect students' ability to access curriculum. Practical strategies and treatment interventions will be presented to improve students' function in academic related tasks.3842OnlinePT60M
'I enjoyed seeing the different types of activities you can incorporate into the session'Read Reviews
AOTA/0.1 Introductory, OT Service Delivery, Foundational Knowledge; CE Broker/1.0 Home Study, General (FL), Patient Related (AL), General Continuing Education (GA), Direct Client/patient Services In Occupational Therapy (SC), Related To OT (AZ), Related To OT (LA), Directly Related To OT (MS), Directly Related To OT (TN), CE Broker #20-670394; IACET/0.1; NBCOT PDUs/1.25 Beginner, Pediatrics
Participants will learn how fine motor and visual motor skills and development affect students' ability to access curriculum. Practical strategies and treatment interventions will be presented to improve students' function in academic related tasks.
5https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/foundations-for-school-readiness-executive-3843Foundations for School Readiness: Executive Functioning in the Classroom (Day 3)We use executive function skills to manage tasks we complete every day. They help us to decide what to pay attention to as well as help us to manage emotions and regulate behavior. This course helps therapists to understand executive function and learn activities to help children to succeed in the classroom.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyOccupationalTherapy.comwww.occupationaltherapy.comFoundations for School Readiness: Executive Functioning in the Classroom (Day 3)We use executive function skills to manage tasks we complete every day. They help us to decide what to pay attention to as well as help us to manage emotions and regulate behavior. This course helps therapists to understand executive function and learn activities to help children to succeed in the classroom.3843OnlinePT60M
AOTA/0.1 Introductory, OT Service Delivery, Foundational Knowledge; CE Broker/1.0 Home Study, General (FL), Patient Related (AL), General Continuing Education (GA), Direct Client/patient Services In Occupational Therapy (SC), Related To OT (AZ), Related To OT (LA), Directly Related To OT (MS), Directly Related To OT (TN), CE Broker #20-670398; IACET/0.1; IBCCES/1.0; NBCOT PDUs/1.25 Beginner, Rehabilitation
We use executive function skills to manage tasks we complete every day. They help us to decide what to pay attention to as well as help us to manage emotions and regulate behavior. This course helps therapists to understand executive function and learn activities to help children to succeed in the classroom.
