Are you looking for a collaborator for NDT-related research?NDTA™ is pleased to offer a new searchable database of nearly 200 academicians and clinicians interested in collaborating on NDT-related research. This service is available to both NDTA™ members and non-members under the Research link at “Find a NDT Research Collaborator” or click here.
The NDTA wishes to thank the Research Task Force for their efforts in developing this service and looks forward to seeing the results of new research collaborations.
We are pleased to announce the launch of the NDTA™ Research Collaborator Database!The database, which was developed by the NDTA™ to facilitate high quality NDT-related research, allows academicians and clinicians to identify potential research collaborators.It currently includes nearly 200 individuals who have expertise in the NDT approach, research design and methods, statistical methods, test instruments, and/or research funding as well as those with access to participants and/or laboratory space and equipment.The database is now available for use by both NDTA™ members and non-members under “Find a NDT Research Collaborator” on the Research link on the NDTA™ home page.If you are not currently in the database and would like to join, click here
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The Mission of NDTA
The purpose of the Association is to promote the unique qualities of the Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) approach by:
Providing specialized clinical training to health care professionals
Supporting Clinical Research
Supporting client's and families with education, resources and information
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Click here for more...The Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT/Bobath) approach was developed for the treatment of individuals with Pathophysiology of the central nervous system (CNS), primarily children with cerebral palsy (CP) and adults with cerebral vascular accidents (CVA). Individuals with CNS Pathophysiology have dysfunction in posture and movement and subsequent functional activity limitations. The Bobaths developed the NDT/Bobath approach to address these problems. The NDT/Bobath approach continues to be enriched with the emergence of new theories, new models and new information in the movement sciences. In addition, as the characteristics of the population with CNS Pathophysiology change, the approach continues to evolve.
What is NDT?
NDT is a problem-solving approach to the examination and treatment of the impairments and functional limitations of individuals with neuropathology, primarily children with CP and adults with stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI). These individuals have dysfunction in posture and movement that lead to limitations in functional activity NDT focuses on the analysis and treatment of sensorimotor impairments and functional limitations that physical therapists (PT), occupational therapists (OT), and speech and language pathologists (SLP) can address.
A thorough examination and evaluation is the basis for treatment. The examination begins with the identification of an individual’s abilities and limitations. The NDT approach considers the individual as a whole and recognizes that every expression of the person—psychological, emotional, cognitive, perceptual, and physical—has value and contributes to the overall level of function. This examination focuses on identifying functions and their limitations. Evaluation analyzes and prioritizes the effectiveness of posture and movement and hypothesizes which systems affect function. Examination and evaluation lead to the establishment of treatment goals and the development of treatment strategies commensurate with the individual’s current needs, while aiming for the long-term outcome of achieving the best possible inclusion in society across the life span.
The NDT clinician's understanding of typical movement and how it changes across the life span provides a critical framework for treatment planning. In addition, the clinician must anticipate the progression of atypical postures and movements and understand how they develop from limited neuronal repertoires, the individual’s unique movement experiences, and the attempt to compensate with stereotyped movement strategies. The clinician plans treatment in partnership with the client and meaningful persons in the individual’s life. Implementation of treatment depends on the examination and evaluation outcomes, the client’s competencies and integrity, and the limitations of the multiple internal systems and external resources. The clinician constantly guides and modifies treatment according to the individual’s response to the selected strategies.
Therapeutic handling is integral to the NDT approach. It is an essential tool in both examination and treatment. Therapeutic handling allows the therapist to (a) feel the client’s response to changes in posture or movement, (b) facilitate postural control and movement synergies that broaden the client’s options for selecting successful actions, (c) provide boundaries for movements that distract from the goal, and (d) inhibit or constrain those motor patterns that, if practiced, lead to secondary deformities, further disability, or decreased participation in society.
The clinician selects an appropriate model of service and delivery of intervention that will fit the client’s lifestyle, then helps to integrate the activities developed in treatment into the client’s daily life to broaden the contexts for active carryover, which is essential for motor learning, requires practice by the client throughout the day, independently or with caregivers.
As a result of NDT intervention, the individual will use the new or regained posture or movement strategies to carry out life skills more efficiently. These strategies will minimize secondary impairments that can create additional functional limitations or disability
The NDT approach continues to be enriched as new information, new theories, and new models consistent with available clinical evidence emerge in the movement sciences. In addition, as the characteristics of the populations with CNS pathophysiology change, the approach will continue to evolve to meet their needs.
Excerpt from "Neuro-Developmental Treatment Approach: Theoretical Foundations and Principles of Clinical Practice" by Janet M Howle (in collaboration with the NDTA Theory Committee Copyright 2002.)
Research Article Summaries Now Available to NDTA™ Members!Are you one of the many members who would like to find out more about research studies that include NDT?If so, you’ll want to look at our hot-off-the-press updated collection of research article summaries.
This NDTA™ Members-Only benefit includes summaries of 50 articles published from 1999 to 2009 that included NDT as one of the treatments identified for study.Each article was read in its entirety and then summarized for our members’ ease in identifying articles they may wish to read further for themselves.
In response to member requests, NDTA™ is pleased to offer an updated collection of Research Articles Summaries as a NDTA™ Members-Only benefit.The Research Article Summaries are available on the NDTA™ website under the Research link or by clicking here.
NDT Certification News
4/15/2010 The requirements for Dual NDT Certificationhave been announced by the NDTA Certification committee. By successfully completing the NDTA Certificate course in both Adult Hemiplegia, and Pediatrics, you are eligible to apply for Dual NDT Certification. The requirements have changed only slightly to 30 hours per the three year period. For more details regarding Dual NDT Certification, please visit the Get NDT Certified! page.
The NDTA is happy to announce the credentialing letters "C/NDT" have been authorized for use by NDT Certified Therapists. These credentials will...
automatically be added to active member accounts, making them searchable as NDT Certified on our "Find a NDTA Therapist" search engine.
NEW! NDT Certified business cards are now available! Please visit the Get NDT Certified! page, click on the business card button to view a sample and the order form.
Clients and patients, employers and insurance companies call for certifications too, to show that greater skill, knowledge, and evidence are a part of therapists' professional development. Please click on the Get NDT Certified! button to learn more.