Finally, when an infant's autonomic, motor and state systems are in equilibrium, she is ready to interact socially, the ultimate developmental task. The Scale shows how babies are ready to be engaged in their new world from the first moments of life. In this portion of the assessment, the examiner looks to see how a baby follows a red ball, a face and a voice. It is a powerful experience for parents to see their new child respond to their voices or study their faces. For example, one part of the exam looks at an infant's ability to self-console when they are upset.
Some infants console themselves easily, while others have a more difficult time.
If the infant cannot console herself, the examiner takes measured steps to help her. Not only do we learn how much support the infant may need at home, but also how far along the child is at completing her developmental agenda. By the end of the exam, the examiner has developed a vibrant portrait of the newborn, which can be used to tailor caregiving to the baby's specific physical needs and behavioral style. It puts health care providers on the same wavelength as parents. The NBAS requires training to be able to administer it effectively and reliably.