Supporting Play Exploration and Early Development Intervention
What is SPEEDI?
Supporting Play, Exploration, and Early Development Intervention (SPEEDI) is a play-based therapy intervention using early motor learning, motor control, infant engagement, and parent self-efficacy methods to provide holistic support to the infant-parent dyad starting as early as the NICU. Core to the intervention is the parent/therapist collaboration that works together to build parental confidence and enhance parent-child interactions. Consistent with Dynamic Systems Theory and Embodied Cognition, SPEEDI uses motor experiences to provide the opportunity to learn about objects and social interactions with the goal of enhancing learning that will support development across multiple domains.
SPEEDI was found to be more effective when starting early in the NICU compared to waiting until 4months after discharge in a large clinical trial. Four small clinical trials in 3 countries have all supported the efficacy of SPEEDI to advance early thinking skills, while also supporting motor development and helping caregivers maximize the quality of their interactions with their infant.
Current research is evaluating the efficacy of SPEEDI delivered via tele-health vs. in person.
Training for Providers
This site includes access to a hour training on the SPEEDI intervention designed for physical, occupational or developmental therapists.
Trainees must complete each module, and pass the module quiz before moving to the next module
A one on one session with a SPEEDI Trainer to review a video of you providing SPEEDI is available
Resource for Hospitals
A hospital can buy monthly or yearly access to material. Group log in where access is to the videos without personal experience; These are more likely to be used in a hospital who buys access;
Research Evidence
Dusing SC, Burnsed JC, Brown SE, Harper AD, Hendricks-Munoz KD, Stevenson RD, Thacker LR, Molinini RM. Efficacy of Supporting Play Exploration and Early Development Intervention in the First Months of Life for Infants Born Very Preterm: 3-Arm Randomized Clinical Trial Protocol. Phys Ther. 2020 Aug 12;100(8):1343-1352. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzaa077. PMID: 32329778; PMCID: PMC7439229.
Dusing SC, Tripathi T, Marcinowski EC, Thacker LR, Brown LF, Hendricks-Muñoz KD. Supporting play exploration and early developmental intervention versus usual care to enhance development outcomes during the transition from the neonatal intensive care unit to home: a pilot randomized controlled trial. BMC Pediatr. 2018 Feb 9;18(1):46. doi: 10.1186/s12887-018-1011-4. PMID: 29426320; PMCID: PMC5809115.
Dusing SC, Brown SE, Van Drew CM, Thacker LR, Hendricks-Muñoz KD. Supporting Play Exploration and Early Development Intervention From NICU to Home: A Feasibility Study. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2015 Fall;27(3):267-74. doi: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000000161. PMID: 26102168.
Finlayson F, Olsen J, Dusing SC, Guzzetta A, Eeles A, Spittle A. Supporting Play, Exploration, and Early Development Intervention (SPEEDI) for preterm infants: A feasibility randomised controlled trial in an Australian context. Early Hum Dev. 2020 Dec;151:105172. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2020.105172. Epub 2020 Sep 1. PMID: 33137579.
