Early Support Improvement News Bulletin
This follows in the footsteps of TAC Bulletin
Please send news items, information and comments that will help build or improve
joined-up early support for children and families in any country
peter.limbrick@mailfence.com
For the week beginning January 12th 2026
Premature Infants: New Paradigms in Their Follow-Up
By Dr. Norma Aspres, Iris Schapira, Rachelle Zaid
Currently, the survival of very low birth weight and low gestational age infants is possible. This highlights the challenge that the healthcare team must face in achieving adequate follow-up of the growth, development, and survival of these patients. Most of these infants, critically ill at birth, have a favorable long-term prognosis in terms of health and quality of life, but they also have a higher probability of sequelae or morbidities with varying impacts. The need for a long-term follow-up program for this population is imperative and requires expert voices for its dissemination.
This guide is intended for healthcare professionals, pediatricians, neonatologists, psychologists, speech therapists, social workers, educational psychologists, occupational therapists, childcare workers, psychomotor therapists, teachers, and all professionals interested in the care of high-risk infants. Two links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gO0wj-xVrmU
https://www.imedba.com/web/libro_prematuros.html
Innovative Approaches to Teacher Preparation for Improving Use of Evidence-Based Practices in EI/ECSE
Making connections between macro and micro-level practices help teacher candidates to better understand the interdisciplinary nature of the system in which they work. Therefore, we present a collaborative approach to support an increase in early intervention and early childhood special education teacher candidate knowledge and application of best practices.
https://openjournals.bsu.edu/JOSEP/article/view/4652/2889
New Study Reveals Subclasses of Autism by Linking Traits to Genetics
An analysis of more than 5,000 individuals with autism reveals four distinct groups that link autism-related traits with underlying genetics. The work could open the door for more precise diagnoses and personalized support, such as counseling and physical therapy.
https://www.simonsfoundation.org/2025/07/09/new-study-reveals-subclasses-of-autism-by-linking-traits-to-genetics/
Early Relational Health - BOOK
Early relational health (ERH), or the dynamic process of mutual, meaningful, and affirming moments of connection in the youngest relationships, is foundational in shaping lifelong physical, behavioral, and mental health. These early relational experiences, expressed through varied cultural pathways, serve as a key ingredient of early learning and well-being.
https://nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/29234/Report_Highlights_Early_Relational_Health.pdf
Multi-modal Imaging Investigations of Individuals with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and Excisions
Clinical and imaging data on 118 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), 72 who underwent excisions with post-operative outcomes recorded, are included from two epilepsy surgical centres in Ontario, Canada.
https://www.braincode.ca/content/controlled-data-releases
Stimulating inclusive outdoor play: breaking the vicious circle between physical segregation and lack of social acceptance
Inclusive play is a critical catalyst for social inclusion and has developmental benefits for all children. This research explores barriers that adult stakeholders perceive towards inclusion of children with disabilities in ‘playing together’ with peers with and without disabilities.
https://experts.mcmaster.ca/scholarly-works/3782527