More and more attention is being paid to brain injuries and disorders, from sports concussions to congenital defects. The focus is fabulous, and now innovative techniques are becoming available that may help people recover. One new strategy is known as NDT (Neurodevelopmental Therapy). This can be used in a variety of therapeutic disciplines, including pediatric physical therapy.

Basically, Neurodevelopmental Therapy is a way to look at issues on a targeted, individual level. Therapists for kids with disabilities use hands-on methods and the latest machines to teach tasks. For example, consider the case of a boy who can't grab a fork might decide she wants to learn. The therapist might guide the kid through picking up the hand, finding the object and seeing how it feels and then using the fingers and thumb to grab. It's all step by step, and guided by touch from beginning to end.

An important part of this Neurodevelopmental Therapy method is patient goal-setting. In the case of children, Mom and Dad may set the goals. For adult patients dealing with problems such as TBI and stroke, the goal could be about balance. Some physical therapists who ise these methods say that a patient's perception of treatment can make all the difference.

Besides the intuitive sense that it works, Neurodevelopmental Therapy truly is effective. Patients might need less help and fewer devices and find it easier to get to proper positioning. Improvement is possible in eating, speech, movement and much more.

For kids with special needs, physical therapists can use Neurodevelopmental Therapy to help with things that will make these kids less dependent on others. This can include learning to support oneself, climb stairs, or even stand up without help. Experts believe that some improvement is realistic for almost all people, even those with the most serious conditions.

The scientific research about Neurodevelopmental Therapy isn't very extensive, but the topic isn't hotly contested, either. Many of the studies have been done on relatively small sample sizes, so aren't widely applicable. But it all makes sense and a growing number of pediatric physical therapists and other specialists have adopted its techniques.

If you're facing difficult problems with function and mobility, consider finding a signs of autism in children San Diego CA expert in your area.