During this Free Webinar You Will Learn:
Early assessment of head shape is an essential component of newborn and infant care. Skull asymmetry or neck tightness can be present at or shortly after birth. This presentation will describe practical approaches for nurses and pediatric occupational and physical therapists to identify, document, and manage cranial shape differences. Supportive tools will be provided to aid clinicians in distinguishing normal newborn head molding, positional variations, and conditions requiring further evaluation. Participants will learn visual and hands-on assessment techniques—including observation and palpation—as well as simple parental intervention strategies for head shaping, with emphasis on early identification and timely referrals. By strengthening assessment skills and early recognition, nurses and therapists can play a pivotal role in supporting healthy cranial development.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will verbalize two cranial shapes appropriate for referral to follow-up services.
- Participants will list two parenting interventions to reduce head turn preference or skull deformity.
Register below to watch the RECORDING:
Our Speaker:
Dr. Elizabeth Jeanson, PT DPT, CNT, DCS, NTMTC
Dr. Elizabeth Jeanson is a developmental specialist and neonatal PT who earned her physical therapy degree from Mayo School of Health Science and earned her doctorate in physical therapy from Simmons University. For the past 25 years, Dr. Jeanson has maintained certification in Neonatal Touch and Massage, Neonatal Network Neurobehavioral Scale, and a Developmental Care Specialist designation. She is a certified neonatal therapist and has completed NDT and NIDCAP training. Aside from direct patient care, Dr. Jeanson is responsible for developmental care staff and family education and quality improvement. Dr. Jeanson is a published author and has presented at the national level. She served as a peer reviewer with Dr. Brown’s Medical in the creation of the Infant-Driven Feeding educational program and was an inaugural member of the Neonatal Therapy Certification Board. Dr. Jeanson also proudly represents neonatal therapists as a member of the NANN Developmental Care Specialist Designation revision committee.
