Background Head preference may be influenced by various factors, and several developmental skills rely on midline positioning of the head. If left untreated, head preferences can lead to significant conditions, such as deformational plagiocephaly or torticollis. Objectives The purpose of this project was to gather evidence, administer a needs assessment survey, and formulate a client-centered plan. Other objectives included implementing a new assessment tool, training the neonatal therapists in use of the tool, and creating an educational handout related to the topic. Implementation The Infant Head Turn Preference Scale measures both direction and strength of head preference. Four neonatal therapists were trained in use of the tool, and the full assessment was completed on 20 total infants. Parents and caregivers were educated and provided with a handout to increase awareness of head preference. Outcomes Neonatal therapists indicated they were comfortable and likely to administer the assessment in the future. The therapists strongly believed they had adequate resources to educate parents and caregivers on head preference. Conclusion The findings suggest the assessment may be a practical tool to utilize with the infants and the educational handout proved to be a valuable resource for the neonatal therapists.

Creator

• Pothast, Elissa

Contributors

• Nichols, Alison

Publisher

• University of Indianapolis

Language

• en

Identifier

• Pothast, E OTD 2018.pdf

Keyword

• Occupational Therapy

• Health Sciences

Date created

• 2018-05

Rights statement

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/