I am a pediatric physical therapist. I embrace and integrate the contemporary neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) practice model, as defined in the textbook "Neuro-Developmental Treatment: A Guide to NDT Clinical Practice," into my treatment planning. I do so based on a defining moment I experienced when I was a PT student at Northern Arizona University.

One of my professors was Carl DeRosa, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA. His directive "Do what works" made an indelible impression on me. I use an NDT treatment model because of my clients' favorable outcomes. I have worked with many children who have made functional gains in their skills and have improved their participation at home, in school, and in their community as a result of my using the NDT framework for critical thinking.

More recently, some less than favorable journal articles have addressed the use of NDT with children with cerebral palsy. These pieces do not represent the NDT treatment model that I and many other therapists — pediatric and adult — use. While early NDT theory was grounded in a hierarchical/neuromaturation model, the practice model has evolved along with our understanding of neuroscience. My NDT knowledge base is rooted in current theories of neurorehabilitation and neuroplasticity.