Neuro-developmental Treatment (NDT)

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Neuro-developmental Treatment (NDT) is an advanced therapeutic approach practiced by experienced Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Speech-Language Pathologists.

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This hands on approach is used in working with people who have central nervous system insults that create difficulties in controlling movement. Therapists using NDT treatment have completed advanced training in NDT and work closely with individuals with neurological challenges (e.g. cerebral palsy, stroke, head injury), helping them to become as independent as possible. NDT-trained therapists work collaboratively with individuals, family, caregivers and physicians to develop comprehensive treatment programs based on the principles of human neurology and physiology. Individuals who have minimal to severe motor difficulties can benefit from the NDT approach.

Many of the therapists at Kids Can Do have attended continuing education in NDT treatment. We also have therapists who have attended the eight-week NDT certification courses.

Reference: www.ndta.org

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Kinesio Taping®

Kinesio Taping® is the use of an elastic tape to assist muscle and other tissue function. The idea was initiated in 1973 and experimentation began with different types of tape and eventually a new type of tape was developed. It was first used in Japan in rehabilitation settings and in the late 1980s was first used on athletes. It was officially introduced in the US in 1995 and today Kinesio Taping® is primarily used on the non-athletic population.

There are four major physiolocial effects of Kineso Taping® and they are:

• To relieve pain or abnormal feeling on the skin and muscle

• To support the muscle in movement

• To remove the build up of lymphatic fluid

• Correct misalignment of a joint by helping the muscles surrounding the joint to work better

Here at Kids Can Do, we primarily use kinesio tape in helping to improve joint and muscle function. Kinesio Tape can be used to improve muscle contraction of a weakened muscle, inhibit contraction of an overused muscle or a muscle with increased tone, and assist with proprioceptive reeducation of a muscle. The tape is applied differently depending on the outcome desired.

The tape is applied directly to the skin over the muscle that you are trying to effect. The tape can be worn up to 6 or 7 days, but the elastic effects are most likely gone after about four days. When the tape is first tried with your child, we will put on a small test piece to make sure that they are not going to have a skin reaction to the tape.

The process of taping begins during therapy sessions with constant re-evaluation to determine it's effectiveness. As the appropriate taping method is determined, it is our hope that the family can be taught how to apply the tape, so the child can be wearing it throughout the week. We would likely try taping one muscle group for 4-6 weeks before moving onto another muscle group. There is a small cost for the roll of tape after it is decided that taping will likely be effective.

The tape is not painful, but young children are often hesitant about it at first. There are a few contraindications to using the tape which your therapist can discuss with you.

Please feel free to ask your therapist if you have any questions regarding Kinesio Taping® or if you think it might be appropriate for your child.

Reference: Keep Pace Seminars: Pediatric Kinesio Taping® by DeDe Wanzek, LPT, 2004

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