Early Intervention – Why it is Critical
We intervene early as the brain is wiring up.
The idea behind early intervention is simple and powerful: most of brain development occurs in the first 3 years, particularly the first 2 years of life. Since two-thirds of brain development occurs within the first two years, the earlier we can find and maintain attunement, the less damage there will be to the child-parent attachment, their communication and the developing neurological system.
The number of cells (neurons) in the brain at birth about 100 billion remains the same throughout our lives. In the first year of life, each neuron forms about 15,000 synapses (connections). By the end of the second year, the brain will have formed 1,000 trillion connections. It is all these connections that make the brain of a 2-year old four times heavier than the newborn. The baby must successfully perceive the proper stimuli during the early years for its brain to properly wire-up.
Research confirms our initial intuitions.
When we first began our work with infants and parents three decades ago, we were working from clinical intuition. Today, neurobiological research validates our early findings: that healthy bonds and healthy brains depend on quality relationships with the primary caregivers (usually parents) and on the consequent connections of neurons in the brain.
Use it or lose it.
There is much evidence for the use it or lose it theory of brain development. Babies developing autistic symptoms have some set of barriers preventing proper brain stimulation. For example, these babies may not be able to perceive that their parent has two eyes or may not be able to hear them well.
Between the ages of 2 and 3 years, some serious pruning must begin in order for the brain to be wired up efficiently. Each neuron may prune up to 10,000 of these connections if they are not needed or have not been used. Early events determine which circuits in the brain will be reinforced and retained. During this pruning process, baby brains with autism lose brain synapses that they would be better off keeping. These lost synapses can never with the same ease as in the early years.
We intervene early as the brain is wiring up.
The idea behind early intervention is simple and powerful: most of brain development occurs in the first 3 years, particularly the first 2 years of life. Since two-thirds of brain development occurs within the first two years, the earlier we can find and maintain attunement, the less damage there will be to the child-parent attachment, their communication and the developing neurological system.
The number of cells (neurons) in the brain at birth about 100 billion remains the same throughout our lives. In the first year of life, each neuron forms about 15,000 synapses (connections). By the end of the second year, the brain will have formed 1,000 trillion connections. It is all these connections that make the brain of a 2-year old four times heavier than the newborn. The baby must successfully perceive the proper stimuli during the early years for its brain to properly wire-up.
Research confirms our initial intuitions.
When we first began our work with infants and parents three decades ago, we were working from clinical intuition. Today, neurobiological research validates our early findings: that healthy bonds and healthy brains depend on quality relationships with the primary caregivers (usually parents) and on the consequent connections of neurons in the brain.
Use it or lose it.
There is much evidence for the use it or lose it theory of brain development. Babies developing autistic symptoms have some set of barriers preventing proper brain stimulation. For example, these babies may not be able to perceive that their parent has two eyes or may not be able to hear them well.
Between the ages of 2 and 3 years, some serious pruning must begin in order for the brain to be wired up efficiently. Each neuron may prune up to 10,000 of these connections if they are not needed or have not been used. Early events determine which circuits in the brain will be reinforced and retained. During this pruning process, baby brains with autism lose brain synapses that they would be better off keeping. These lost synapses can never with the same ease as in the early years.
Early intervention helps babies at risk to get the stimulation needed to keep the proper synapses.
If you are concerned that your child may be experiencing autistic symptoms:
1. Review the section: What can you do
2. If you are still concerned – download the Background Invitation request and Observational Scale and mail it to us with a video of you interacting with your child demonstrating the behaviour that concerns you.
Call us or e-mail us for more information on how we can help you
personally or review the Infant-Family Intensive program
Early intervention is critical.