neuro developmental therapy

 Neuro-developmental treatment is a hands‐on, client‐centred approach that seeks to improve 

gross motor function in children and adults with neurological problems (such as cerebral palsy), and thereby

 improve their independence in a variety of contexts.

 NDT is a holistic approach dealing with the quality of patterns of coordination and not only with the 

problems of individual muscle function. 

It involves the whole person, not only his sensory-motor problems but also problems of development, perceptual-cognitive 

impairment, emotional, social and functional problems of the daily life as well.

The characteristic syndromes of cerebral palsy are the result of abnormal sensory-motor development 

and  appear gradually.  If we start to treat the child in the period when abnormal patterns of posture 

and movement are already fully established and habitual, we can achieve only 

limited results and we cannot avoid deformities and orthopaedic surgical interventions. 

Early NDT treatment is considered to be the treatment that starts at the age of two to three months (corrected age), 

that is before anti-gravity voluntary movements emerge and abnormal movement 

patterns begin to be predominant. 

With early treatment we have the chance to integrate active normal sensory-motor experiences 

before abnormal movement patterns have become a habit.

If the treatment is started before the abnormal patterns of movement have become established, we can help 

the child to organise his potential abilities in what for him is the most normal way.