AUTHOR=Peyton Colleen , Sukal Moulton Theresa , Carroll Allison J. , Anderson Erica , Brozek Alexandra , Davis Matthew M. , Horowitz Jessica , Jayaraman Arun , O'Brien Megan , Patrick Cheryl , Pouppirt Nicole , Villamar Juan , Xu Shuai , Lieber Richard L. , Wakschlag Lauren S. , Krogh-Jespersen Sheila TITLE=Starting at Birth: An Integrative, State-of-the-Science Framework for Optimizing Infant Neuromotor Health JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pediatrics VOLUME=9 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2021.787196 DOI=10.3389/fped.2021.787196 ISSN=2296-2360 ABSTRACT=

Numerous conditions and circumstances place infants at risk for poor neuromotor health, yet many are unable to receive treatment until a definitive diagnosis is made, sometimes several years later. In this integrative perspective, we describe an extensive team science effort to develop a transdiagnostic approach to neuromotor health interventions designed to leverage the heightened neuroplasticity of the first year of life. We undertook the following processes: (1) conducted a review of the literature to extract common principles and strategies underlying effective neuromotor health interventions; (2) hosted a series of expert scientific exchange panels to discuss common principles, as well as practical considerations and/or lessons learned from application in the field; and (3) gathered feedback and input from diverse stakeholders including infant caregivers and healthcare providers. The resultant framework was a pragmatic, evidence-based, transdiagnostic approach to optimize neuromotor health for high-risk infants based on four principles: (a) active learning, (b) environmental enrichment, (c) caregiver engagement, and (d) strength-based approaches. In this perspective paper, we delineate these principles and their potential applications. Innovations include: engagement of multiple caregivers as critical drivers of the intervention; promoting neuromotor health in the vulnerability phase, rather than waiting to treat neuromotor disease; integrating best practices from adjacent fields; and employing a strengths-based approach. This framework holds promise for implementation as it is scalable, pragmatic, and holistically addresses both the needs of the infant and their family.