An introduction to neonatal neurobehavior and the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS)
In this one-day course, participants are introduced to the history, conceptual framework, and the content of the NBAS, with an overview on neurobehavioral functioning of the young infant and the NBAS as a tool to capture this functioning in the first two months of life. Participants will view a recorded NBAS with a healthy infant, score the NBAS, and discuss their findings to determine the neurobehavioral profile of the infant. This course is ideally suited for clinicians of all disciplines who wish to gain a deeper understanding of neurobehavior. It is also highly recommended for practitioners trained in the NBO who would like to further hone their understanding of neurobehavioral functioning.
Advanced training in the assessment of neurobehavioral functioning in infants
This two-day course starts with the one-day Introduction to the NBAS described above, and it continues with a second day to refine NBAS administration and scoring skills. Neurobehavioral observations will be expanded to better capture the challenges seen in infants with varying degrees of regulation and dysregulation. Advanced concepts of best performance and examiner facilitation will be discussed and demonstrated through the observation and scoring of two recorded NBAS sessions. This course provides advanced understanding of the relationship between the examiner and the infant during the administration of the NBAS. This course is well suited for clinicians who wish to utilize the NBAS for assessment purposes in the clinical setting, as well as for practitioners trained in the NBO who would like advanced understanding of neurobehavioral functioning and examiner facilitation.
NBAS training to reliability
A third option is offered for those individuals wishing to train on the NBAS to reliability for either clinical or research purposes. Following the two-day workshop, trainees meet with their trainer for up to three two-hour meetings for coaching in administration and scoring skills. Most trainees require practice with about 20 infants to be prepared for certification. Trainees must submit a recording of themselves administering an NBAS, along with a completed scoring form which is reviewed by their trainer.
Please contact Yvette Blanchard at yvette.blanchard@childrens.harvard.edu if you are interested in NBAS training to reliability.