The National Association of Neonatal Therapists (NANT) is the professional organization that serves neonatal occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists.
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
Sue Ludwig, OTR/L, CNT is passionate about improving the quality of life for babies who begin their journey in the NICU and the therapists who serve them. As NANT President and Founder, she uses a blend of clinical expertise, innovation, and leadership to support the advancement of this specialty globally.
She is a sought-after speaker, consultant, writer, and educator. Her book Tiny Humans, Big Lessons: How the NICU Taught Me to Live with Energy, Intention, and Purpose, is now available wherever books are sold.
Sue lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband and a couple of dogs, and has two grown children.
The following are some frequently asked questions submitted to our inbox on a weekly basis.
Neonatal Therapists are an essential part of the NICU team. A Neonatal Therapist is an occupational therapist, physical therapist, or speech-language pathologist who delivers holistic direct patient care and consultative services to premature and medically complex infants in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Using an integrated, neuroprotective, family-centered model, Neonatal Therapists provide highly specialized and individualized therapeutic interventions in the NICU. These interventions support optimal long-term development, prevent adverse sequelae, and nurture the infant-family dyad.
Neonatal Therapists provide education to the family and NICU team.
First, you must graduate from an accredited occupational therapy, physical therapy, or speech-language pathology program. NANT recommends gaining at least 3 years of experience in pediatrics and/or acute care prior to seeking the advanced practice specialty of neonatal therapy. Therapists new to the specialty must receive NICU-specific orientation, education, and mentoring, and demonstrate competency in neonatal therapy. Neonatal therapists are highly encouraged to prepare for and eventually attain certification in neonatal therapy.
In the United States, AOTA, APTA, and ASHA provide myriad and necessary resources, advocacy, and support for each of our professions. NANT was created for the advanced practitioner who specializes in the NICU. Therefore, if you are a neonatal OT, PT, or SLP (researcher, clinician, or both), and wish to be connected to the latest reliable resources, standards, and colleagues in this field, NANT will prove to be additive to your ever-evolving knowledge and skills related to premature and sick infants and their families.
**This definition was created by the NANT Professional Collaborative (NPC).
Yes! NANT offers student Memberships here.
NANT’s focus is supporting neonatal therapists (OT, PT, SLP). However, membership may also serve the interests and needs of many other neonatal care providers. Membership is therefore extended to those who are drawn to our mission, regardless of discipline.
Yes!
NANT has members in multiple countries around the world! We are eager to learn from you as well as provide you with access to education and support. Most of our educational and mentoring resources are located online within the NANT website and therefore can be accessed by members regardless of time zone. NANT also offers one international tuition scholarship each year for our annual conference.