The first years of a child’s life are a critical time of cognitive, emotional and physical development. Early active movement and environmental exploration drive development by building cortical connections and physical adaptation in response to movement. Early, “on time” intervention provides the opportunity to take advantage of a critical developmental window for infants with developmental challenges who lack early access to the ability to bear weight and move independently.
Providing adaptive posture to young children with cerebral palsy is one of those early interventions that is highly recommended. In addition to encouraging this continued development, an adaptive foot person can delay or prevent hip dysplasia, contractures, and bone mineral loss.
This research-based white paper, Adaptive position in early intervention for children with cerebral palsy, summarizes the evidence behind early adaptive positioning and recognizes how it is not only important for fitness and functioning, but also for building friendships and improving quality of life. Our focus should be on how to best intervene today to improve outcomes tomorrow. Early adaptive positioning is an evidence-based means to achieve a better future for the youngest children with cerebral palsy. We should advocate for it.
