Pediatric rehabilitation helps small children by promoting physical and mental development increasing independence and self-esteem. It helps them master gross motor and functional mobility skills and address muscle imbalances at an early stage.
With the right neuro developmental techniques, parents can work with pediatric rehabilitation specialists like the Chilliwack Neuro Rehabilitation Clinic to treat various neurological conditions in kids. This article will explore some of the techniques commonly used and some activity suggestions tailored to improving outcomes in kids and adults.
Bobath Approach (NDT)
The main aim of this method is to normalize movement patterns, improve postural control, and facilitate functional movements. This will help the child roll from the back to the stomach and gently guide their hips and shoulders while reaching for something like a toy.
Sensory Integration Therapy
This method helps children to properly respond to sensory information. It uses activities that challenge their system so they will improve their motor planning and sensory coordination. It’s done by creating a sensory pathway using different materials like carpet, foam, grass, and other related materials. The child will then have the will to walk or crawl over. This will protect their exploration and movement.
Task-Oriented Training
Task-oriented training is an approach that focuses on important activities that will enhance the children’s functional movement and allow them to practice skills in context, not in isolation. The activity done here mostly engages the kids in a simple obstacle course where they get to navigate through different objects. This will enhance their problem-solving and motor skills.
Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation
This method involves the use of rhythmic sounds or music to help with movement and timing. The main goal here is to improve gait training. What usually happens during this procedure is the use of various sound instruments like tambourines or shakers or recordings of different sounds like animals and vehicles. The child will be asked to identify the sounds or mimic them.
Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)
This therapy is done when one limb is affected, and the other one is healthy. The healthy limb will be constrained, and then the other limb will be encouraged to be used. This will promote motor recovery through intensive practice.
- Aquatic Therapy
This therapy uses water properties. It provides resistance and support and allows the children to explore different movement methods with less injury risk.
- Strengthening and Conditioning
This is an exercise that is tailored to promote muscle strength, endurance, and the whole physical fitness. It’s done to keep the kids engaged. The way it’s done is that a balance board will be used while the child stands and throws and catches the ball. This will enhance their balance and core engagement.
Play-Based Therapy
This is a situation that involves adding play to the therapy session to make it more enjoyable and meaningful. Following this method will promote motivation and make them more willing to engage in the exercise. The process usually involves using a therapy swing to enhance vestibular input while the children are playing with a hanging toy. Aside from being enjoyable, the act also enhances their sensory integration and core strength.
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Visual and Vestibular Stimulation
These are activities that improve coordination, balance, and spatial awareness. They are important for motor development. What happens here is that the therapist usually includes a moving object like a ball, so the child will follow the silhouette with their eyes. This can be performed at home by using pushing or rolling toys.
Family-Centered Care
Allowing family members to be involved in the therapy sessions is always helpful because at least the kids are more comfortable when there is a familiar face close by. This will also ensure that the exercises and strategies are integrated into the children’s daily lives. The techniques are usually tailored to meet the child’s needs, promote optimal development, and improve the life quality of children with different health conditions.
Techniques Used by Other Rehabilitation Professionals
Different rehabilitation centers use a lot of neuro developmental techniques. Professionals like https://abilitiesrehabilitation.com/chilliwack/ use speech therapy and occupational therapy to help children with developmental challenges. Aside from these techniques, these professionals also incorporate a lot of other methods of pediatric care based on their needs. Some of these techniques include:
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- Modeling and Repetition
Therapists usually design behavior skills and then ask the children to repeat them. For instance, in speech therapy, the therapist will say something correctly and then ask the kid to mimic and repeat what they said.
- Functional Activities
This is an act of engaging children in activities that will help their skill development. For example, the use of cooking tasks during occupational therapy allows the kids to learn and practice how to measure things up, follow instructions, and enhance their fine motor skills.
- Positioning Techniques
This technique utilizes the right positioning to enhance better communication and engagement. This may range from managing seating arrangements to enhancing eye contact or interaction during the therapy.
- Environmental Modifications
This is an act of changing the environment to help with child development. This can range from reducing any distractions using an adaptive environment assisting with tasks, and many more.
- Joint Attention Activities
These are sessions that promote shared focus between the therapist and the children, such as toys and books that need interaction to help develop social commitment skills.
- Storytelling and Narrative Therapy
Storytelling and narrative therapy are ways of encouraging children to create their own story or retell one they are familiar with. This helps them develop their skills, comprehension, and social understanding.
Conclusion
Some children are born with neuro developmental impairment, but this shouldn’t depress you as parents because there are many techniques in pediatric physiotherapy that can be used to improve their motor skills and functional independence and help them overcome challenges.
This session is done with the help of a therapist, a professional in the act who has knowledge and experience handling similar cases. Some of the techniques used include sensory integration therapy, visual and vestibular stimulation, modeling, repetition, and many more.
