NDT developed from cerebral palsy treatment
The Neuro-Developmental Treatment/ Bobath approach is a theoretical framework and problem-solving approach that involves the treatment of people with central nervous system dysfunction.
The Neuro-Developmental Treatment Association (NDTA) of Laguna Beach, CA, provides detailed historical and philosophical information about Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) on its web site at www.ndta.org. Based on NDTA’s information, here is a brief overview of how NDT has evolved:
- Karel and Berta Bobath developed Neuro-Developmental Treatment based on their work in the 1940s and their resulting philosophy that children with cerebral palsy should be evaluated and treated in a way that addresses neurological and developmental issues of movement disorders.
- The Bobaths first came to the United States in 1958 to participate in the American Physical Therapy Association’s annual conference. After the conference, the Bobaths served as professors at Stanford University for several months and taught brief introductory courses around the United States.
- In 1963, the Bobaths taught an eight-week pediatric cerebral palsy course in the United States, and in 1966 they returned to teach a course at the Kiwanis Children’s Center in Milwaukee, WI. This same year, NDT-trained therapists formed the International Bobath Alumni Association, which held its first meeting in 1966 in New Orleans at the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy meeting.
- In the early 1970s, eight-week pediatric courses were taught annually in Seattle, Milwaukee, Chicago, and New York. In 1972, the Bobaths began teaching two-week courses for therapists who work with hemiplegic patients. The organization was restructured and its name was changed to the Neuro-Developmental Treatment Association in 1973. By the mid-70s, there were six-week courses designed to help special education teachers manage physically challenged children.
- NDTA’s membership grew through the 1980s and 1990s, and the number of coordinator instructors grew to more than 40 by the mid-90s. NDTA’s membership also grew to more than 3,700.
- Now, NDT treatment sessions focus on functional activities, using goal-directed mechanisms. NDTA now has a staffed office and a web site that provides detailed information about NDT, as well as listings of instructors, courses, board of directors, its history, and other information. This year, the NDTA annual conference will be held May 1-5 at the Hyatt Regency in Albuquerque, NM.
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