What is Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT)?
Neurodevelopmental Therapy is a simple, drug-free movement program that you do at home. It is based on neuroplasticity- the brain's ability to rewire, given the right stimulation.
Who is it for?
NDT benefits individuals who have an immature central nervous system. This is known as Neuromotor Immaturity. Some common characteristics of Neuromotor Immaturity are the presence of retained primitive reflexes and dysfunction between the senses.
Neuromotor Immaturity can look like;
Neuromotor Immaturity can look like;
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"If our body is not sufficiently developed and integrated- instead of supporting learning and functioning, it will interfere."
What are the benefits?
NDT helps children and adults overcome academic, sensory, emotional, behavioural or physical challenges.
It matures an individual's central nervous system by inhibiting any retained primitive reflexes, strengthening underdeveloped postural reflexes and developing sensory integration. NDT gives a person's body and brain more time to organise and build stronger neural pathways. It ensures the foundations in the brain are stable and ready to support higher order functions like learning, memory and emotional regulation.
It matures an individual's central nervous system by inhibiting any retained primitive reflexes, strengthening underdeveloped postural reflexes and developing sensory integration. NDT gives a person's body and brain more time to organise and build stronger neural pathways. It ensures the foundations in the brain are stable and ready to support higher order functions like learning, memory and emotional regulation.
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NDT can improve;
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There is some 40+ years of research investigating the physical factors that underly learning and behavioural problems. Much of this research has been presented by Peter Blythe, Sally Goddard Blythe, Dr Robert Melillo, Dr Harald Blomberg and Moira Dempsey,
Check out some of our favourite publications.
Check out some of our favourite publications.
How does it work?
NDT looks different for different ages
In general, NDT is a developmental movement program which involves you or your child doing a daily exercise at home. This prescribed daily movement usually only takes a few minutes and gives the brain small amounts of stimulation so that it can rewire and mature. Most programs take 12 months but some individuals need a little longer. NDT is not a 'quick fix' because we are working with the brain and must give it sufficient time to reorganise and develop.
Each client must complete a screening questionnaire so that we can gather information about the developmental history and ensure that a neurodevelopmental program is suitable.
An initial consult is required before any individual can be assessed or start on a program. This appointment is a sit-down discussion with the parents/carers of a child or the adult seeking help for himself/herself. No children attend this consult.
The purpose of this meeting is to unpack the developmental history further and to discuss program suitability. This consult can be in person or via phone/zoom.
Each client must complete a screening questionnaire so that we can gather information about the developmental history and ensure that a neurodevelopmental program is suitable.
An initial consult is required before any individual can be assessed or start on a program. This appointment is a sit-down discussion with the parents/carers of a child or the adult seeking help for himself/herself. No children attend this consult.
The purpose of this meeting is to unpack the developmental history further and to discuss program suitability. This consult can be in person or via phone/zoom.
18 months- 4 years
After an initial consult, the parents/carers bring the child in to our clinic for an observational assessment which will check primitive and postural reflexes and some gross and fine motor skills (depending on age). This is conducted through play as a formal assessment is not appropriate. Kellie talks parents/carers through her observations. She then teaches the parents/carers an exercise or 2 to do at home. Parents/carers do this movement to their child every day for 4 weeks.
Every 4 weeks, parents/carers and the child return for a follow-up review. Kellie reassesses certain reflexes to see how the child's profile and development are progressing. A new movement is taught or the current one is adjusted, depending on what the child needs.
Every 4 weeks, parents/carers and the child return for a follow-up review. Kellie reassesses certain reflexes to see how the child's profile and development are progressing. A new movement is taught or the current one is adjusted, depending on what the child needs.
4-6 years
After an initial consult, the parents/carers bring the child in to our clinic for a neuro-assessment. The assessment will check balance, coordination, primitive and postural reflexes, gross and fine motor skills, laterality, oculo-motor and visual-perceptual skills.
A 'Summary of Assessment' report is delivered to parents/carers in a post-assessment consult, usually a few weeks after the assessment. At this appointment, Kellie also teaches the parents/carers a movement or 2 to do at home. This exercise is done every day for 6 weeks.
Every 6 weeks, parents/carers and the child return for a follow-up review. Kellie reassesses to see how the child's reflex profile and development are progressing. A new movement is taught or the current one is adjusted, depending on what the child needs.
A 'Summary of Assessment' report is delivered to parents/carers in a post-assessment consult, usually a few weeks after the assessment. At this appointment, Kellie also teaches the parents/carers a movement or 2 to do at home. This exercise is done every day for 6 weeks.
Every 6 weeks, parents/carers and the child return for a follow-up review. Kellie reassesses to see how the child's reflex profile and development are progressing. A new movement is taught or the current one is adjusted, depending on what the child needs.
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Summary of program;
Approximate total cost over the 12 months is $895 |
6 years- adults
After an initial consult, the adult or child (with parents/carers) attends in clinic for a comprehensive, diagnostic neuro-assessment. This assessment looks at gross muscle coordination, vestibular functioning, patterns of motor development, fine motor skills, primitive and postural reflexes, laterality, oculo-motor and visual-perceptual skills.
An educational report is delivered to parents/carers in a post-assessment consult, usually a few weeks after the assessment. At this appointment, Kellie also teaches a movement or to do at home. This exercise is done every day for 8 weeks.
Every 8 weeks, the child or adult returns for a follow-up review. Kellie reassesses to see how the reflex profile and body are developing. A new movement is taught or the current one is adjusted, depending on what the individual needs.
An educational report is delivered to parents/carers in a post-assessment consult, usually a few weeks after the assessment. At this appointment, Kellie also teaches a movement or to do at home. This exercise is done every day for 8 weeks.
Every 8 weeks, the child or adult returns for a follow-up review. Kellie reassesses to see how the reflex profile and body are developing. A new movement is taught or the current one is adjusted, depending on what the individual needs.
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Summary of program;
Approximate total cost over the 12 months is $1255 |
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Please note- NDT program fees are not currently claimable on Medicare or private health insurance. They can be covered by your self-managed NDIS fund though.
