Neonatology and Perinatology

Biography

Geetha M Arora is an eminent Neonatal and Pediatric Occupational Therapist and an international guest Lecturer with a rich experience of more than 12 years.
She had completed her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy (Pediatrics) from Dr. MGR Medical University, India and holds Sensory Integration Certification
from University of California along with certification in advanced Prechtl general movement assessment, Beckman oral motor assessment and intervention, oral
placement therapy, autism movement therapy, hand writing without tears, MNRI. She has completed PGDBM at Amity University in Family and Child Psychology.
She is the Founder and Director of Bubbles OT Centre, and visiting Consultant Fortis Healthcare, Noida, India.

Abstract

Neonatal intensive care unit professionals specialize in one aspect as your baby’s health care, neonatal occupational therapist
treats the whole child. Research over 30 years have shown, that babies who are admitted for neonatal care are at high risk
for developmental problems later in life, be that a result of a premature birth or a complicated full term delivery. High risk
birth also has a major impact on the family as a whole, affecting parent’s mental health and well-being and their interaction
with their child, which can influence child’s outcome. Early sensory and motor & behavioral assessment, modification in
environment, feeding, early intervention and parent education delivered in the first two years of life during a period of rapid
brain maturation, neuro developmental plasticity may have lifelong benefits on a child’s health and wellbeing. Occupational
therapists look at how the baby interacts with the nice environment and how that affects their development which is often
referred as developmental care. Occupational therapist plays an important role in high risk infant’s sensory system and their
ability to organize and regulate the stimuli in the world around them. They recognize that each baby requires an individualized
approach that addresses their unique capabilities to reach their full potential. The primary goals of neonatal occupational
therapist are to improve developmental outcomes and facilitate baby family connection.