Neurodevelopment Treatment (NDT) is a treatment approach which was developed to treat underlying neuromotor deficits as well as posture and movement disorders. Techniques include inhibition of atypical movement patterns and facilitation of more typical movement patterns to encourage increased functional skill development. Neurodevelopmental treatment facilitates movement through space with assistance of a therapist using handling techniques, which gently lead and guide as well as inhibit with gentle touch.
Novel patterns of movement are developed in treatment by filling in the missing components of a desired movement. This requires analyzing the components of a task as well as the child’s current movement patterns as a task is attempted. Questions are then raised as to what may be preventing the child from success, what part of the movement the child is engaged in is counterproductive, how can this be inhibited what part of the movement is missing and how can this be facilitated. These are all the components that are necessary in the treatment of a child with a neuromotor or movement disorder.
