We all know that opioid and amphetamine usage is negatively impacting families across the country. But it is also a fact that we in the adoption world see greater numbers of babies exposed to opioids, amphetamines and alcohol in
utero than is seen in the general population. This workshop will provide you with accurate information from clinicians who work in different disciplines – but both of whom are focused on attaining best outcomes for parents and children.
During the first half of this presentation, we will discuss what is currently known about the overall health and developmental outcomes for babies and children born to women who used illicit substances during their pregnancies such as opioids, amphetamines, methamphetamines, tobacco, marijuana, non-prescribed medications and prescribed psychiatric medications. During the second half, we will be learning about some of the practical occupational therapeutic (OT) strategies you can use to help support your infant while in the NICU and early days together, including how to understand the signs and symptoms of withdrawal, as well as learning to read baby’s cues and incorporating these strategies into your daily routine so you will be better prepared for success.
Facilitators: Dr. Neera Goyal & Jill Stevenson, OT
Dr. Goyal is a primary care pediatrician and Medical Director of the Well Baby Nursery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. She has conducted federally funded research on home visiting and health care utilization for young infants. Her current research focuses on improving health care for infants affected by maternal substance use disorder.
Jill Stevenson is the Occupational Therapy Supervisor at Hackensack Meridian Health at JFK’s Pediatric Rehabilitation where she has been a pediatric OT for the past 22 years. Over the past 17 years, she has done contract work 2 days a week in the NICU at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. Additionally, Jill is a Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI) and is NIDCAP (Neonatal Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Protocol) certified.