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Home Visiting Highlights - Easter Seals Midwest Home Visitation
An Inspiring Story from Easter Seals Midwest Home Visitation Program that shows the important role that home visitors play in empowering and supporting families, and how home visitors and medical providers can work together to strengthen outcomes for children.
As Program Manager for Home Visiting Services, I periodically observe Parent Educators (Home Visitors) while on home visits with families. During a visit in late September, with a 9 month old baby and his Mom, I noticed an asymmetrical share to the baby’s head. It was not overly pronounces, but it was noticeable. I mentioned it to the Parent Educator, and asked if Mom had reported anything such as what the pediatrician thought or what the plan was for addressing it. The Parent Educator said that Mom had not mentioned anything about his head shape, and that because he often napped during their visits she hadn’t noticed it until I mentioned it.
The Parent Educator brought the subject up during her next visit with the family a couple of weeks later. Mom was so excited someone else had noticed! She said that she had asked the pediatrician about the shape of the baby’s head a couple of times, but the pediatrician told her not to worry. The Parent Educator talked to Mom about advocating for her child, reminding her that even though the doctor is a medical expert, Mom is the expert on her child. Mom scheduled an appointment with another doctor for a second opinion.
The baby was diagnosed with craniosynostosis, and was referred to Children’s Mercy Hospital to see a Neurosurgeon. Craniosynostosis is a condition in which one or more of the sutures in a child’s skull closes too early, causing problems with normal brain and skull growth. These premature closures may also cause the pressure inside the head to increase and the skull and/or facial bones to change from a normal, symmetrical appearance. Left untreated, craniosynostosis can lead to serious complication including head deformities (sometimes severe and permanent), increased pressure on the brain, seizures, and developmental delays. Treatment requires surgery before the age of 1, while the skill bones are still relatively soft, to correct the skulls’ shape and the use of a special helmet to reshape the skull.
The baby was able to undergo surgery before his first birthday! Had we not brought up the head shape of the baby with the mother, and not had the rapport with the Mom to help her advocate with the doctors, the baby may have remained undiagnosed until he was too old for surgery to be completely successful resulting in a lifetime of medical and developmental issues.
The Parent Educator brought the subject up during her next visit with the family a couple of weeks later. Mom was so excited someone else had noticed! She said that she had asked the pediatrician about the shape of the baby’s head a couple of times, but the pediatrician told her not to worry. The Parent Educator talked to Mom about advocating for her child, reminding her that even though the doctor is a medical expert, Mom is the expert on her child. Mom scheduled an appointment with another doctor for a second opinion.
The baby was diagnosed with craniosynostosis, and was referred to Children’s Mercy Hospital to see a Neurosurgeon. Craniosynostosis is a condition in which one or more of the sutures in a child’s skull closes too early, causing problems with normal brain and skull growth. These premature closures may also cause the pressure inside the head to increase and the skull and/or facial bones to change from a normal, symmetrical appearance. Left untreated, craniosynostosis can lead to serious complication including head deformities (sometimes severe and permanent), increased pressure on the brain, seizures, and developmental delays. Treatment requires surgery before the age of 1, while the skill bones are still relatively soft, to correct the skulls’ shape and the use of a special helmet to reshape the skull.
The baby was able to undergo surgery before his first birthday! Had we not brought up the head shape of the baby with the mother, and not had the rapport with the Mom to help her advocate with the doctors, the baby may have remained undiagnosed until he was too old for surgery to be completely successful resulting in a lifetime of medical and developmental issues.
Stories from Home Visiting Families
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Promise 1000 partners with The Family Conservancy to provide
Moving Beyond Depression™ specifically to interested mothers participating in Promise 1000 home visiting who also struggle with depression.
Mothers receive the in-home therapy that they need to be healthy for themselves and their families!
http://www.movingbeyonddepression.org/
Promise 1000 - Moving Beyond Depression™ program is funded by United Way of Greater Kansas City and The Jackson County Community Children's Services Fund
Experiences in Moving Beyond Depression™
LaMisha's story of overcoming postpartum depression
utilizing Moving Beyond Depression™ through Promise 1000.
https://www.thefamilyconservancy.org/kansas-city-charity-for-children/
The Impact of Moving Beyond Depression from a Home Visitor's Perspective
-Showing the partnership between the mother, home visitor, and Moving Beyond Depression-
-Showing the partnership between the mother, home visitor, and Moving Beyond Depression-
"One of the mothers that engaged in the Moving Beyond Depression (MBD) program wanted to share the mirror she received upon completion of the program with the other members in her Women's Group.
The home visitor stated that it was a powerful moment for the entire group because many of the other women were also involved with the MBD program at different stages. This home visitor later went on to say that MBD really gave the mother the boost in parenting that she needed. She stated that initially she would have minimal to no communication with her son, and now she was talking and interacting with her son more than she ever had in the past. The home visitor stated that the support that MBD provides families and home visitors is invaluable."