COURSE DESCRIPTION

NDTA Certificate Courses are postgraduate continuing education courses offered to Physical Therapists, Occu-
pational Therapists, and Speech-Language Pathologists who work with adults or children with movement
disorders associated with neuromuscular impairments. The curriculum includes intensive theoretical and prac-
tical work based on techniques that were originally developed and taught by Dr. Karel and Mrs. Berta Bobath.
This information has been further developed, and is updated on an ongoing basis, by the Neuro-Developmental
Treatment Association Instructor Group.

The Certificate Course core curriculum includes didactic information, hands-on lab work in which participants
practice problem solving and application of intervention strategies, treatment demonstrations by instructors,
and mentored clinical practice in which participants work with a variety of clients.

Instruction in the NDT philosophy as an interdisciplinary team approach assures that all therapists learn to
address each client using a holistic approach. All therapists, regardless of discipline, cover the same course material.
Throughout the course, they assess and treat clients with neuromuscular disorders to gain a thorough under-
standing of each individual’s underlying posture and movement impairments and the resultant functional
consequences. This provides them with the opportunity to understand the “whole” client in order to develop
basic handling skills.

Participants apply the philosophy and principles of Neuro-Developmental Treatment consistent with the laws
and regulations of their licensure and scope of practice. Participants must meet attendance requirements,
successfully achieve course objectives, perform effective assessments, develop appropriate intervention strategies,
plan and implement effective treatment plans, and successfully pass the standardized final exam and competencies.
Once accomplished, an NDTA Certificate of Completion is awarded.

Each Certificate course is taught by an experienced team led by an NDTA Coordinator-Instructor and includes
additional NDTA Instructors who have completed a rigorous training process which enables them to provide
expertise and mentoring in the disciplines of occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language
pathology. All NDTA, Inc. Instructors are required to maintain professional credentials and standards according
to guidelines established by the NDTA, Inc.

The NDTA, Inc. Approved Certificate courses are offered in several different formats to meet the needs of
consumers. Each format includes the approved content and required contact hours for their respective course
(pediatric and adult). Some courses may include distance learning assignments. Consumers are encouraged to
know their learning strengths and styles and to select a course format that best meets their needs.

ADULT COURSE – NDTA™ Contemporary Practice Model Certificate Course in the

Management of Adults with Stroke and Brain Injury
■ Minimum of 100 contact hours

PEDIATRIC COURSE – NDTA™ Contemporary Practice Model Certificate Course in the

Management of Children with Cerebral Palsy and other Neuromuscular Disorders
■ Minimum of 261 contact hours

NDTA™ Neuro-Developmental Treatment Association / 800-869-9295 / info@NDTA.org / NDTA.org

CURRICULUM
Each course curriculum (pediatric and adult) includes the following broad topics:

■ Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) philosophy, theoretical basis, and problem-solving framework.

■ Current neuroscience information as it relates to Neuro-Developmental Treatment.

■ Clinical evaluation of individuals who have neuromuscular disorders, including evaluation of their
functional activities, limitations, and social roles, as well as their underlying effective and ineffective
posture and movement patterns. strengths and impairments.

■ Analysis of posture and movement components of functional tasks including locomotion, ADL
performance, feeding and communication, and others.

■ Development and hands-on implementation of treatment plans using the NDT problem-solving
framework to optimize postural control and alignment as a foundation for more efficient and skillful
performance of functional skills that will lead to increased participation and an improved quality of life.

■ Supervised assessment and hands-on treatment of patients with movement problems due to
neuromuscular system pathology, with individual mentoring by NDTA, Inc. course instructors.

■ Development of skill in managing the care of individuals across the lifespan, including understanding
compensatory movement patterns, the potential medical/health consequences, and the prevention of
secondary impairments.

■ Use of the interdisciplinary team approach including interaction with other disciplines, utilization of
adaptive equipment, and education/training of caregivers in the home and community

NDTA™ Neuro-Developmental Treatment Association / 800-869-9295 / info@NDTA.org / NDTA.org

OBJECTIVES
By the end of the course, participants will demonstrate the ability to:

■ Analyze effective and ineffective components of posture and movement

■ Identify the relationships between function, posture and movement components, and system integrities
and impairments in individuals with neuromuscular disorders

■ Demonstrate effective NDT clinical reasoning and problem solving, using assessment findings to
develop realistic treatment plans

■ Develop and implement therapeutic handling strategies that result in changes in the client, including:
improved sensorimotor performance, achievement of functional goals, and enhanced participation in
meaningful activities

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
■ Professional license in the state of residence.
■ Current malpractice insurance.
■ At least one year's post graduate experience, and current practice treating either:
● children with cerebral palsy or other neuromuscular disorders or
● adults with stroke or brain injury

NDTA™ Neuro-Developmental Treatment Association / 800-869-9295 / info@NDTA.org / NDTA.org