9/24/2009 7:42:32 AM
What does therapy cost?
What is NDT?
How long will my child be in therapy?
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- What does therapy cost?
- What is NDT?
- How long will my child be in therapy?
- My baby is not reaching a milestone
- Aren't we over therapizing our children?
What does therapy cost?
The cost of therapy will be determined by the type of therapy the child needs. Costs are based on the NRPL (National Reference Price List) and are covered by medical aid. Each medical aid will have their own benefits and limits for the different therapies and you will have to contact your medical aid directly to find out what this is. The NRPL is a guideline for medical schemes and health care professionals to determine what fees to charge for services. The NRPL is compiled by the Department of Health to serve as a pricing guideline in conjunction with the relevant medical aids and professional societies.
What is NDT?
NDT stands for NeuroDevelopmental Therapy. It is primarily a problem solving approach to the treatment of children or adults with neurological difficulties, using specific treatment techniques. It is used by physiotherapists, speech therapists and occupational therapist, who most often work together as a team. The therapists assist the infant or child to achieve normal functional goals or developmental milestones such as sitting, walking, playing, writing, eating, talking and so on. It was developed by Bertha Bobath and is often called Bobath therapy. NDT is based on a thorough analysis and understanding of normal development which includes sensori-motor function, tone and patterns of movement in developing infants and children; and the way these affect the ability to participate in everyday life. It relies on knowledge on how the clinical picture evolves and is proactive in working to minimise secondary problems. Therapists can use this framework, together with specific treatment techniques, to optimise function. Education of the individual, their families and assistants, is an integral part of this approach, enabling “treatment” to be combined into everyday management. NDT Therapists are required to complete a number of post-graduate courses in order to develop expertise in identifying and treating babies and children with neurological difficulties.
How long will my child be in therapy?
There are a lot of factors that will determine how long a child will need therapy. Therapy is not a quick fix however and most children will need a minimum of 3 to 6 months. Some children need ongoing therapy that may last years and some children will require ‘bursts’ of therapy over several years to assist them in dealing with new challenges or demands. Therapy will depend on the child’s diagnosis and severity, how much carry-over occurs at home, how easily the child is able to learn new skills and what the individual goals for the child are.
My baby is not reaching a milestone (sitting, walking, talking etc.). The nurse has advised me to go for therapy. Is this really necessary or can I wait and see if she improves on her own?
Development and learning in the first 3 years of life occurs at an exceptional rate that will never again be matched. Not only is this an important time to lay the foundations for all other development, but studies have also found “window” periods in this developmental stage where certain skills need to be acquired or are “lost”. In other words, small problems, which are easy to address at this stage, can become big problems, which are difficult to fix in the later years. A proactive approach of early intervention can prevent or minimize physical, academic or social problems that could negatively affect your child well into adulthood. Rather be safe than sorry and let an experienced therapist assess your child and advise you on whether your child is just a late bloomer or has gaps in his / her development that need to be addressed.
Aren't we over therapizing our children?
In today’s times, children are expected to cope with a huge amount of academic, social and sporting activities. A child who is struggling with development is put at a disadvantage, unnecessarily causing stress and low self-esteem. Now days we have the knowledge and the tools to help these type of children achieve their potential and not be held back. Similarly to providing glasses for a child with visual problems, NDT provides a child with developmental problems a solid foundation for their optimal physical and academic development. Would you say that too many children are given glasses? As we learn more about the process of neurodevelopment, we also learn more about how to help those children who have developmental difficulties and rather than just labeling them as lazy, stupid, clumsy or difficult, we are able to provide them with therapy in these critical formative years that have far reaching positive outcomes. It is important to note however, that if you feel your child does not really need therapy, we would encourage you to seek a second opinion in order to clarify your child's needs.
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