Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) is a comprehensive, “hands-on" therapy used by physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech and language pathologists.

• People benefiting from NDT are individuals living with conditions that affect movement and sensation including but not limited to cerebral palsy, stroke, and traumatic brain injury.
• NDT helps guide the individual toward more efficient movement utilizing principles of motor development, motor control, motor learning as well as information from other supporting scientific evidence to improve functional abilities.
• In a typical session, individuals are actively engaged in the examination, evaluation and the therapeutic process.
• Therapy is personalized, with the individual and their family and/or caregivers setting meaningful goals with the practitioner(s).
• NDT intervention allows for self-motivation and is adjusted to meet the individual’s needs through physical guidance strategies, verbal cues, and feedback.

An NDT Practitioner:

• Uses the International Classification of Function, Disability, and Health (ICF), a universal framework, to guide assessment and intervention to promote an individual’s activity and participation in daily life.
• Has in-depth knowledge of the human movement system, postural control and functional tasks plus a thorough understanding of the development and aging processes. These skills are used to identify the individual’s strengths and challenges to better understand why an individual moves and functions in a particular way.
• Uses clinical problem-solving, skilled therapeutic handling and creative use of the environment to promote meaningful, goal driven involvement of the individual.
• Establishes unique task-specific goals for each session and measures progress within the session.
• Continuously adjusts treatment to meet the individual’s evolving needs, working together with them towards their long-term functional goals.
• Provides comprehensive education and recommendations, including individualized home programs, appropriate use of equipment, and active caregiver involvement to reinforce therapeutic gains.

Created 1.9.2025

NDT Core Principles Task Force

Karen Brunton, PT, C/NDT, Chris Cayo, OTR/L, C/NDT, Monica Diamond, PT, MS, NCS, Mary Rose Franjoine, PT, DPT, MS, PCS , C/NDT, Cathy Hazzard, PT, C/NDT, Vinita Jones, OTD, LOT, C/NDT, Therese McDermott, CScD, CCC-SLP,C/NDT, Jodi Renard, PT, DPT, CBIS, C/NDT, Liz Ridgway, OTR/L, OTD, C/NDT, Teresa Siebold, PT, C/NDT, Carol Terilli, PT, DPT, C/NDT