Breaking Barriers to Early Therapy
Every infant deserves the chance to thrive, yet for many families in underserved communities, access to timely early therapy remains a significant challenge. Project INITIATE, a groundbreaking pilot study co-authored by Alison Liddle, owner of M Street Pediatric Therapy, and leading researchers from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois at Chicago, is transforming this narrative. To read the full study, click here.
Funded by the Patrick M. Magoon Institute for Healthy Communities and the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, this study highlights actionable solutions to improve therapy access for infants during the period of greatest neuroplastic potential.
The Problem: A Critical Gap in Therapy Services
Did you know that infants with public insurance are often left waiting for critical therapy services? This gap is especially pronounced in under-resourced communities, where opportunities for early intervention are minimal.
Key Challenges Identified:
- Delayed initiation of Early Intervention (EI) services
- Limited access to outpatient providers accepting public insurance
- Geographic and socioeconomic disparities**
The Study: A Solution Rooted in Collaboration
Led by an incredible team of co-authors, including clinicians and advocates, Project INITIATE piloted a NICU-to-home therapy model. This initiative ensured vulnerable infants received timely care by offering weekly home-based physical therapy.
Key Highlights of the Study:
- Demonstrated the feasibility of in-home therapy for NICU graduates in the intervention group, with 45.7% starting services within 14 days of discharge and 78.2% beginning within 3 months.
- For the 60-infant cohort, only 13.3% received EI services by 3–4 months of age.
- Infants receiving 8–10 therapy sessions demonstrated significant motor function improvements.
- Over 90% of families served lived in neighborhoods with the lowest access to resources**
Why This Matters: Partnerships Make Change Possible
The success of Project INITIATE is a testament to collaboration across institutions:
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
- Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital
- University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital
- University of Illinois at Chicago
This study was made possible through funding from the Patrick M. Magoon Institute for Healthy Communities and the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, alongside the advocacy of Start Early to improve equitable access to developmental care.
M Street Pediatric Therapy’s Commitment
At M Street Pediatric Therapy, we are proud to support research and solutions that break barriers. We believe every family, regardless of background, deserves access to early, family-centered therapy.
What’s Next? Advocate for Change
Together, we can ensure every infant receives timely care:
- Advocate for policy changes that streamline Early Intervention services.
- Support community organizations like Start Early that champion equity.
- Educate families and providers about the importance of early therapy.
Acknowledgment: This work was authored by Jessica Trenkle, Alison Liddle, Lynn Boswell, Dawn Drumm, Denise Barnes, Aneta Jedraszko, Bree Andrews, Shannon Murphy, Michael Msall, Deborah Gaebler-Spira, and Raye-Ann deRegnier.
Funding Partners: Patrick M. Magoon Institute for Healthy Communities and the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Advocacy Partner: Start Early
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