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National Survey Shows Majority Parents Missing
First Infant Developmental Milestones

Experts Say Early Motor Delays Detectable, Treatable at Three Months

CHICAGO – June 27, 2006. Pathways Awareness Foundation today announced results of a national survey assessing 423 parents’ awareness of early developmental milestones for their babies. Only five percent of parents would seek help if their baby failed to meet the first critical milestones -- being able to raise their head and push up on their forearms by the end of three months. Babies failing to meet this milestone should be evaluated for signs of early motor delays, which may indicate a wide range of neuromuscular conditions warranting treatment with physical, occupational or speech therapy.

“Clinical experience suggests that children with early motor delays benefit from early intervention with physical therapy, developmental information, and family supports. ” said Dr. Michael Msall, Chief of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital and LaRabida Children's Hospitals and a member of the Pathways Awareness Foundation Medical Roundtable. “Acting early can make a big difference in children’s most basic life skills – moving, using one’s hands, walking, talking, and eating.”

Early motor delays are delays in children’s ability to meet critical physical milestones in the first months and years of life – how well and soon they move and interact with their environment. A wide range of neuromuscular conditions from nonspecific low muscle tone to cerebral palsy may cause delays in these functions. An estimated 400,000 babies born each year are at risk for some form of neuromuscular condition. Regardless of the underlying condition, however, experts agree physical therapy significantly improves outcomes in children with Early Motor Delays.

Pathways’ survey showed only 36 percent of mothers were even aware that the first milestones should be met by the end of three months. In contrast, awareness rose steadily for later milestones, with 55% of parents aware of the six month milestones, 78% of the 9 month milestones and 90% aware of the 12 and 15 month milestones. Intent to seek help immediately also correlated with later milestones.

Pathways attributes the lag in awareness of the earliest milestones to a “wait and see” school of thought, that babies develop at varying paces and can catch up on their own. Pathways believes this wait and see approach is fueled by poor awareness of what physical, occupational and speech therapies are and how they can help.

“Babies’ abilities to adapt and learn on their own is truly amazing,” says Gay Girolami, physical therapist with Pathways Center and also a Pathways Awareness Foundation medical roundtable member. “But therapy helps babies with delays get up to speed as quickly and easily as possible. The only thing waiting does is make it harder for the child in the long run.”

Experts urge early intervention with physical therapy because children with Early Motor Delays naturally compensate for their delays by learning compromised and often atypical movements and skills. These compromised behaviors complicate and elongate physical therapy exponentially.
About the Survey
The survey was sent to a national sample of 423 adults reflecting the demographic balance of parents with at least one child less than 36 months old. The survey assessed the age by which parents would expect children to meet key milestones (illustrated), and the age by which they would seek help if their child did not meet each milestone. Survey demographics were balanced to reflect gender, income, ethnicity, age, and the geography of this population. All results reported are significant at the 95% confidence level.

About Pathways
Established in 1988, the Pathways Awareness Foundation is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the benefit of early detection and early therapy of early motor delays in children. Pathways assists both physicians and families who have concerns about their children’s physical development. The Foundation’s activities are based upon the expertise of the Pathways Medical Round Table, comprised of leading physicians, clinicians, nurse practitioners and lay advisors. Pathways believes that through early detection, intervention, inclusion and increased public awareness, children with early motor delays can look forward to a brighter future.