EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT IN PREVENTING SBS/AHT

Through the use of life-size infant simulators, we  provide trainings and presentations to parenting adolescents, as well as to adolescents who are at risk of becoming pregnant through risky behaviors associated with drug and alcohol use.

Shaking the life-sized infant simulator may be  disturbing; but, watching the damage progress across the brain through illuminated LEDs is powerful. The simulator's piercing cry abruptly stops. Hearing it is devastating! The simulator shows there is no way to deny the instant and permanent effects of shaking a helpless baby.

Some of the other related problems of substance use, especially in regard to parenting adolescents, is the rising occurrence of drug and alcohol affected infants, children born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and the rising incidents of shaken baby syndrome, which often occurs with adolescents who are frustrated and immature in parenting skills. Parenting is difficult for adolescents, especially those who are dealing with issues related to substance abuse. Babies cry! This can be incessant especially when they are prenatally exposed to drugs. An adolescent parent may become so frustrated, she/he may injure their child. One of the ways this occurs is by shaking the baby in frustration in an effort to stop the infant from crying.

Shaken Baby Syndrome is a form of Abusive Head Trauma that can occur when a frustrated parent or caregiver violently shakes, slams, hits, or punches a child’s head, usually to stop them from crying or to get a child to respond to the expectations of the parent or caregiver.