START-Play (Sitting Together and Reaching to Play) is an early intervention that targets sitting, reaching and motor-based problem-solving to promote development and readiness to learn in infants with motor delays or challenges.
Physical therapists deliver a perceptual-motor program centered on early cognitive constructs. Intervention occurs in infants’ natural environment, with caregiver social support to scaffold infant skills.
Training for providers
A 10 hour online continuing education course for physical or occupational therapists is available and can be accessed here: click here
Overview for parents and caregivers
Evidence of Efficacy
Harbourne RT, Dusing SC, Lobo MA, McCoy SW, Koziol NA, Hsu LY, Willett S, Marcinowski EC, Babik I, Cunha AB, An M, Chang HJ, Bovaird JA, Sheridan SM. START-Play Physical Therapy Intervention Impacts Motor and Cognitive Outcomes in Infants With Neuromotor Disorders: A Multisite Randomized Clinical Trial. Phys Ther. 2021 Feb 4;101(2):pzaa232. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzaa232. PMID: 33382406; PMCID: PMC7910024.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04230278
https://ies.ed.gov/use-work/awards/efficacy-start-play-program-infants-neuromotor-disorders?ID=1618
https://academic.oup.com/ptj/article/101/2/pzaa232/6056331
https://academic.oup.com/ptj/article/98/6/494/4867982
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01942638.2022.2054301
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01942638.2022.2131501
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1413355524000017