Finding the Baby

This interactive course delves into the intricate dynamics of early parent-infant interactions during the critical first 12–18 months of life, exploring how these interactions foster the development of regulation, social engagement, and foundational social communication skills. Participants will examine factors that can strengthen and disrupt these processes and how such insights can inform dyadic intervention for infants and toddlers at risk for or diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Who this course is for

See criteria below

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Next steps:

Start date & time

Mar 18, 2025 | 8 pm eastern

Length of course

(6) 1.5-hr sessions|3/18; 3/25; 4/1; 4/8; 4/15; 4/22
Step 1 register and pay
Step 2 access the course
Step 3 review the Overview
Step 4 attend sessions

Start Date & Time

Mar 18, 2025 | 8 pm eastern

Length of Course

(6) 1.5-hr sessions | 3/18; 3/25; 4/1; 4/8; 4/15; 4/22

Who this course is for

See criteria below

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Next Steps:

Step 1 register and pay
Step 2 access the course
Step 3 review the Overview
Step 4 attend sessions

Course Overview

This interactive course delves into the intricate dynamics of early parent-infant interactions during the critical first 12–18 months of life, exploring how these interactions foster the development of regulation, social engagement, and foundational social communication skills. Participants will examine factors that can strengthen and disrupt these processes and how such insights can inform dyadic intervention for infants and toddlers at risk for or diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

We’ll highlight how infants are “wired” for connection even before birth, focusing on how their sensory and motor development prepares them to recognize and respond to their parents from birth. Additionally, we will address the influence of parents’ experiences during pregnancy and early infancy on the development of these bonds. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the co-constructed processes vital for establishing the social, emotional, and cognitive foundations during the first year of life.

Key topics include fetal sensory-motor development, prenatal and perinatal parental experiences, and factors that promote neonatal connection. Participants will explore the importance of attunement, affectionate touch, mutual gaze, synchrony, unconscious mimicry, and the dynamics of mismatch and repair. The course also examines early motor differences associated with ASD and the role of the postural-ocular system in fostering successful interactions as infants transition from reclining to upright positions and independent mobility.

By the end of this course, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of what can nurture or derail early parent-infant connections and how to effectively support families, particularly those navigating the challenges of early risk for ASD.

This course will consist of six 90-minute sessions, with a combination of lecture and interactive discussion supported by video.

Course Format

Finding the Baby is a live online instructor-led course.
  • Maximum of 15 participants
  • (6) 1.5-hour live online sessions
  • All live online sessions must be attended in full in order to receive a certificate of attendance (CEs are not available)

Course Instructors

Criteria to Take the Course

You must hold at minimum a Profectum DIR® Level 1 Professional Certificate (or equivalent).

Frequently Asked Questions

This course is for

Practitioners from all disciplines and educators. You must hold at minimum a Profectum DIR® Level 1 Professional Certificate (or equivalent).

Attendance and requirements for completion

All live online sessions must be attended in order to receive a certificate of attendance.  Zoom logs will be referenced for attendance.

Payment options

Payment in full is required.

Payment, withdrawal and refund policy

If you submit payment and withdraw from this course at least 15 working days (Mon-Fri) BEFORE the start date, you will receive a refund minus the non-refundable deposit and a cancellation fee of $25. If requests to withdraw are received after this time period, no refund is given and you are responsible for full payment of the course.

Requests to withdraw must be sent via email to training@profectum.org.

In the event that a course is canceled, you will be notified immediately via email and a credit will be issued toward a rescheduled course or the entire submitted fee will be refunded without further liability on the part of the organizer.

Contact training@profectum.org if you have questions.

Cancelation policy

We strive to accommodate start times and international time zones for our participants and, therefore, reserve the right to adjust course start dates and times as needed. A minimum number of participants are required to run the course. We reserve the right to cancel or postpone a scheduled course if the required number of participants is not achieved.

In the event that a course is canceled, you will be notified immediately via email and a credit will be issued toward a rescheduled course or the entire submitted fee will be refunded without further liability on the part of the organizer.

If you have questions, contact training@profectum.org.

Special accommodations

If you require ADA accommodations or have a special needs request, please email training@profectum.org at least two weeks before the program start date so arrangements can be made.

Technology requirements

Profectum uses video streaming and video conferencing as our standard technology tools. The course relies on you watching webcasts on your own and joining live online class discussions using Zoom.

A computer with a monitor, keyboard, and a mouse or a laptop. (Please note that the course is not fully supported on mobile devices such as phones and tablets.)

Speakers, either built into your computer or external (plugged into your computer).

Camera, either built into your computer or external (plugged into your computer).

An internet connection, either wired or wireless, DSL or better.

The course is supported on the most recent versions of Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, as well as Internet Explorer 11 and Edge. Please note that the course is incompatible with Internet Explorer 7, 8, 9, and 10. We recommend using only a single tab on your browser.

The Zoom application.

A PDF viewer, such as Adobe.

A printer or access to a printer (to print the resources in the library, if desired).

Finding the Baby

This interactive course delves into the intricate dynamics of early parent-infant interactions during the critical first 12–18 months of life, exploring how these interactions foster the development of regulation, social engagement, and foundational social communication skills. Participants will examine factors that can strengthen and disrupt these processes and how such insights can inform dyadic intervention for infants and toddlers at risk for or diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).