Introduction

Infants start interacting with their environment from birth, responding to visual and auditory events and actively engaging in spontaneous movements of their limbs. When working with children, it is important to note that motor problems often co-exist with communication problems. Up to 81% of children with mild to moderate functional mobility limitations are diagnosed with communication problems. A decreased ability or inability to communicate can affect a child's social development, impacting their self-identity, self-esteem, self-control and interactions with others. Caregivers are their infant's and toddler's primary communicators, so they play a pivotal role in the development of communication. It is, therefore, important that caregivers develop effective strategies to boost communication with their children.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course you will be able to:

• describe at least three types of non-verbal communication and the four stages of early communication
• select an effective communication strategy for caregivers to enhance communication with children based on simple case scenarios

Target audience

This course is aimed at rehabilitation professionals, students and assistants including but not limited to Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Rehabilitation Doctors, Rehabilitation Nurses, Prosthetists, Orthotists, Psychologists, Audiologists, Dietetics, Social Workers. Community Health Workers, Nurses or Medical Doctors interested in this subject are also invited to participate.

Practicalities

• Availability - this course is online and can be completed on your own schedule.
• Hours of Learning - No deadlines are applied to this course and it can be started and completed in your own time according to your personal schedule. We expect the required elements to take around 1-1.5 hours depending on your schedule and learning style. Additionally there are many optional resources provided and if you choose to review these the course could take longer to complete.
• Types of Activities - This course includes instructional and/or practical videos, reading activities, AI supported learning activities, reflection, evaluation forms, a quiz and additional resources.
• Certificates - At the end of the course, when you have completed all of the required elements, you will be able to download a certificate of completion and 1 Plus points will be added to your personalised learning dashboard.

Instructor financial and non-financial disclosures

Dawn Willard: Non-financial disclosure: Dawn Willard is a speech language pathologist for the Infants and Toddlers Program at Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).

Accessibility and Non-Discrimination Policy

Physiopedia Plus is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all participants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, national origin, religion, sex, disability, military status, sexual orientation or age in any aspect of our continuing education services. We are dedicated to ensuring that all learners can fully participate in our programmes. Participants who require accommodations or have special needs are encouraged to contact us with details so that we can make all reasonable efforts to meet these requirements.