BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE NEURODEVELOPMENTAL TREATMENT (NDT) - BOBATH

TATJANA DOLENC VELIČKOVIĆ

Neurodevelopmental treatment - Bobath (NDT) is a holistic problem solving aproach dealing with quality and variety of movement patterns in individuals with CNS lesions or its abnormal development. It is taking into account also problems of development, perceptual-cognitive impairment, social, and functional problems of daily living. It is a treatment and management approach based on individual assessment and treatment planning, respecting the client as a whole. The essence of the NDT concept is to control the quality of the motor output and to get more normal sensory input. Treatment is done in client-therapist entire communication in funcional situation by special way of handling, guided by continuos reassessment of the quality of the clients active or automatic reactions. The NDT approach is an interactive process among the individual, the caregivers and the transdisciplinary team aiming towards the long-term outcome, especialy an increased independence and quality of life. The results of NDT are much better if treatment starts enough early, before the abnormal movement patterns are dominant and habitual.