The Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale Training Program

The Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) is designed to examine individual differences in newborn behavior and is appropriate for infants up to two months of age. It is the most comprehensive examination of newborn behavior available today.

The Scale contains 28 behavioral and 18 reflex items. It assesses the baby's capabilities across different developmental areas (autonomic, motor, state and social-interactive systems) and describes how infants integrate these areas as they adapt to their new environment..

The Scale can be used to study the effects of wide range of perinatal variables such as maternal substance use, low birth weight, caesarian section and other pre- and perinatal variables. It is also used in cross-cultural and prediction studies.

After certification, trainees will be able to:

• Understand key concepts about newborn behavior
• Administer and reliably score the Scale to healthy full-term infants
• Assess and describe newborn behavior
• Integrate findings from an exam into a behavioral profile of the infant

Researchers and clinicians may explore the training and certification aspects of the NBAS. Complete information about registration is available (link to workshops.html). Those who plan to use the NBAS must be certified in order to use the scale reliably and re-certified every three years.

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NBAS Training Process

Beginning in 2002, trainees interested in NBAS training and certification will be required to pass through three training phases before participating in the final phase, the Certification Session, which is held in Boston at The Brazelton Institute, Children's Hospital.*

These are the three stages:

1) Self Study Phase
2) Practice Phase
3) Certification Session

Phase 1: Self-Study Phase

To begin the NBAS training program, trainees need to complete the NBAS Training Program Registration Form (PDF) and send the form with the full payment ($1200 per trainee) to:

The Brazelton Institute
1295 Boylston Street, Suite 320
Boston, MA 02215

Please note that trainees are required to commit to one of the four Certification Sessions printed on the Registration Form. As soon as the Brazelton Institute receives the trainee's full payment and Registration Form, a Training Packet will be sent with the all materials necessary for training. This packet includes:

1. The Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale Manual, 3rd Edition
2. The NBAS Handbook: Supplement to the Manual (includes score forms)
3. The NBAS Testing Kit
4. The NBAS Instructional Video
5. The name and contact information of his/her NBAS Trainer

The trainee should read the material carefully, view the videotape and make contact with the assigned NBAS trainer.

Phase 2: Practice Phase

During the Practice Phase, the trainee will administer the NBAS to healthy, full-term newborns. To be sufficiently prepared for the Certification Session, the Brazelton Institute strongly recommends that the trainee use the full NBAS, including scoring with twenty-five infants. The trainee should contact his/her Trainer during the Practice Phase. After the trainee has completed twenty-five NBAS assessments, he/she must send her score forms directly to the trainer. Phone contact is recommended every 2 weeks.

Phase 3: Certification Session

When the trainee has completed twenty-five NBAS assessments, the trainee is ready for the Certification Session, which is held four times a year at Children's Hospital Boston. One of the Brazelton Institute's bilingual trainers will offer this session in Spanish and English. The specific date for certification will be determined for through agreement between the trainer and trainee.

The trainee is responsible for organizing his/her travel plans and accommodation. The Brazelton Institute will provide each trainee with a list of Boston-area hotels and directions to the Brazelton Institute. During the Certification Session each trainee will be asked to administer NBAS and then the Trainer and trainee will score the exam separately. The Trainer assesses the trainee's exam based on the following criteria:

I. Administrative competence: the trainee's ease in handling the infant and skill in administering the items to bring out the infant's best performance.

II. Scoring reliability: the trainee must reach a 90 percent level of agreement on the exam scores.

With successful completion of the NBAS Training Program, the trainee will receive a NBAS Examiner Certificate. The trainee is now a certified NBAS Examiner!

Re-Certification

The NBAS Certificate is valid for three years, after which, examiners must be re-certified. Re-certification ensures the examiners' testing skills are in line with standard NBAS practice. NBAS re-certification costs $500.

 

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* Off-Site NBAS Training Program

The Brazelton Institute also offers an off-site NBAS Training Program. This program is especially designed for groups of two trainees or more, interested in having the NBAS Trainer travel to their work setting. The requirements for off-site training are as follows:

1. There must be a minimum of two trainees for the Certification Session.
2. Trainees must complete the same three phases in training listed above before the Trainer arrives for the Certification Session.
3. The cost for each trainee is $1200 (includes all training and assessment materials).
4. The group of trainees must cover the travel and accommodation costs for the NBAS Trainer, plus a $500 trainer fee.
5. The group of trainees must have access to a hospital Newborn Nursery and permission to handle infants for the Certification Session.

The Brazelton Institute welcomes questions about the NBAS Training Program. Program. Please call (617) 355-4645 or email at brazelton.institute@childrens.harvard.edu