The Minds of Babes: Infant mental health pioneer stresses early bonds

BY MEGAN RAPHAEL
Special to the Record-Eagle

May 16, 2008 04:00 am

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TRAVERSE CITY -- Michigan and Traverse City have a claim to fame few know about: The field of infant mental health was born in this state, and Michigan continues to be a leader in the country thanks in part to local resident Joan Shirilla.

Shirilla has been instrumental in the growing NW Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health. With a commitment to healthy social and emotional development for infants and young children, Shirilla and the group spearheaded the Training Consortium.

The consortium is a collaborative of six local agencies offering ongoing training programs to area infant mental health specialists.

Infant mental health got its start in the 1960s when Selma Fraiberg, a Michigan social worker, began working on the needs of blind children.

Frailberg observed children and parents and began crafting "an extraordinary approach to strengthening the development and well-being of infants and young children," said Deborah Weatherston, executive director of the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health. Weatherston and Shirilla co-edited a book, "Case Studies in Infant Mental Health," that was published in 2002 and is used as a textbook in many infant mental health programs throughout the country.

"Overall, the goal of all of us in infant mental health is to help the child develop greater resilience by building a positive, healthy relationship between parent and child," Shirilla said.

Fraiberg's early work helped people learn the importance of infants' and young children's needs.

"We came to understand it's the early relationship with a primary figure, most often mom, that is the template for all the child's future relationships," explained Shirilla.

Studies show that during the years from birth to 5 years old humans form our view of the world.

"Those early years are critical in a child's social and emotional development," Shirilla said. "If we see that we can trust that our needs will be met, we learn we can trust the world. This positive belief sets the stage for the future."

The role of trained infant mental health specialists is helping parents build a healthier relationship with their child.

"The relationship between the parent and their child is the key," Shirilla said. "When a primary relationship is healthy and nurturing, a child can develop healthy nurturing relationships with others. They do better in school, they do better in life."

The Tulane Institute of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health supports this: "Convincing evidence suggests that serious problems like delinquency, school failure, interpersonal violence, and premature parenthood have their roots in early childhood relationship experiences."

Infant mental health specialists work in the family's home, child care centers and schools. They typically focus on helping a family with developmental guidance so parents better understand their child's needs -- basic, concrete needs such as housing, clothing, medical, etc., and assisting the family in advocating for appropriate services, including physical therapy and educational.

"What sets IMH apart is helping parents deal with issues in their lives that are impacting their relationship with their child," Shirilla said.

Much of Shirilla's work is on helping child care providers and teachers improve their skills for helping families. Through ongoing training and "reflective listening" sessions, she provides opportunities for staff to increase their understanding of a child's behavior.

"From there," she said, "we can develop strategies for helping the child better learn."

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