Video Series 2: Dyadic Care for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
About
In this integrated care model, pediatric mental health professionals are available to address developmental and behavioral health concerns as soon as they are identified, bypassing the many obstacles families face when referred to offsite behavioral health services. Furthermore, in this model, health care for the child is delivered in the context of the caregiver and family (i.e. “dyadic health care services”) so that families are screened for behavioral health problems, interpersonal safety, tobacco and substance misuse, and social determinants of health such as food insecurity and housing instability. Families who are given referrals receive follow-up to make sure they received the services. In this video series, learn more about dyadic models of care in pediatric primary care settings.
Contents
This series has concluded. The initial episode is listed first.
This video offers an overview of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH), which refers to the social and emotional development of children, including developing relationships, experiencing emotions, and exploring environment. This happens within the context of the family culture and community they are growing up. The bio-ecological model highlights how neural connections depend on interactions with adults and the environment, creating layers of potential impact on the child.
Babies remember stress in their body more than their "brain" - yet, neural connections are firing and creating opportunities for learning and growth. In this video, learn about how stress impacts a child when a caregiver is struggling. When providers understand the larger system patients exist within, this informs the creation of care plans. Early intervention, including emotional regulation and co-regulation work, allows for the potential to reduce or mitigate mental health challenges.
A dyad is seen 12 times in the first 3 years of life. A well child visit is a powerful place filled with teachable moments, a chance to witness moments of attunement, and opportunities for promoting wellness. This video highlights how focusing on prevention work promotes health, as well as supports identifying needs early on.
It is important to recognize the power and potential for impact by utilizing observations of a dyad as a tool to inform what might be needed and what questions are valuable to ask. Here in this video, we find practical examples of how to use typical moments in a visit to highlight emotional needs and experiences of a dyad.
Sometimes the biggest challenge to practice transformation is being able to understand and visualize how the work might actually play out. Here in this video, we are able to follow a trajectory of what a dyadic care visit might look like, exploring the various intervention possibilities.
Working from a foundation of reflection and a lens of equity, we find that pediatric providers are able to establish relationships with caregivers that, in turn, support and model the types of relationships we know that allow children to thrive. Here in this video, we learn a bit more about what reflective practice means, as well as how diversity-informed tenets can be a guide for this work.