Intervention strategies for infants with prenatal drug exposure

Prenatal drug exposure (PDE) is a significant problem in our society, and media attention has caused confusion about developmental outcome for these children. This article deals with the identification of clusters of behavior that are commonly seen in infants with PDE. Intervention techniques are presented that have been successful in both hospital and home programs. Reading behavioral cues, modifying the environment, and providing support for the infant's attempts at self-regulation can begin to ameliorate sleep disturbances, difficulties in self-consoling, feeding disorders, and emotional lability and begin the process of behavioral organization.