Neuro Developmental Delay (NDD)

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NDD Remediation helps children who struggle with learning and behavior as a result of retained primitive reflexes. It does this by first determining the initial point of breakdown or dysfunction, starting treatment from that point of development and working it’s way upwards. 

Since primitive reflexes are mediated at the brainstem level, NDD intervention stimulates maturity of the central nervous system by recapturing early stages of development that were missed, beginning from the brainstem and then working it’s way up.

Neuro Developmental Delay (N.D.D.) is the retention of a cluster of primitive reflexes above the age of one as well as the absence or underdevelopment of postural reflexes above the age of three and a half years.  When primitive reflexes are still present in a child beyond the age of one and postural reflexes are absent or underdeveloped beyond the age of three and a half, that is an indication of immaturity within the central nervous system.  The reflexes are said to be abnormal.

"Abnormal reflexes have also been documented as playing a part in specific learning difficulties  and immature behavior."  (Fiorentino 1970, Bobath & Bobath 1975, Ayres 1972/3, Bender 1976, Blythe, McGlown 1979, Goddard 1994/96, Wilkinson 1994, Goddard Blythe, 1998 )

Primitive reflexes are automatic movements that are not cortically controlled. They begin in the womb and are fully present at birth. Beginning from 4 months post natal, they should begin a gradual process of withdraw which should be complete at 12 months. Pediatricians commonly test for these reflexes when assessing a newborn’s neurological health. Postural reflexes are automatic movements that begin after birth and should be in place by the age of three-and-a-half and remain for life. When primitive reflexes do not inhibit at the right time , it can be an indication of problems within the central nervous system. 

Many of the symptom of Neuro Developmental Delay at the brain stem level  are also symptoms of some diagnosis such as ADHD, ADD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Sensory processing disorder, Auditory Processing disorder, etc.  Most of the shared symptoms are a result of dysfunction or immaturity in the Central Nervous System.