Emerging techniques are great for treating brain problems, including many kinds of congenital, acquired and traumatic issues. Sadly, physical therapists who employ these ideas can be hard to find. The emerging method is known as neurodevelopmental therapy, or NDT.
Basically, Neurodevelopmental Therapy is a way to look at problems on a very personal level. Pediatric physical therapists use hands-on methods and high-tech tools to train patients on tasks. For example, imagine a kid with neurological problems who can't walk due to the health problem might set little goals. One might be lifting the feet slightly using the patient's own strength. In this case, the physical therapist would guide the child with touch and support.
The most valuable part of this Neurodevelopmental Therapy method is patient goal-setting. For kids with disabilities, goals may be set by the parents. For adults dealing with injuries or stroke, the goal might be learning to reach above the head without support. Elite physical therapists who have used these strategies say that the patient's perception of treatment is very important.
Beyond the intuitive sense that it works, Neurodevelopmental Therapy truly works. Professionals in the field report that need fewer assistive devices and less adaptive equipment and find it easier to get to proper positioning. Improvement is possible in a variety of functions.
For children with disabilities, physical therapists can use Neurodevelopmental Therapy to help them have more control. This can include learning to support oneself, learning to climb stairs, or even crawl or stand. Experts believe that some degree of improvement is possible for almost everyone, even if they have been diagnosed with lifelong conditions.
The scientific research about Neurodevelopmental Therapy isn't very exhaustive, but the topic isn't really being challenged. Many of the studies have been done on small groups of patients, so aren't widely generalizable. However, the method seems to make sense and a growing number of physical therapists for children and other specialists have adopted its techniques.
If you're facing difficult problems with speech, eating and mobility, consider finding a what is asperger San Diego, CA expert in your area.