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FAQ on Neurodevelopment TrainingDr. Curtis Cripe answers frequently asked questions about Neurodevelopmental Training and it's importance.
How does neurodevelopmental training work?
What is the primary focus of neurodevelopmental training?
What are the differences between the various programs?
What are the key features of neurodevelopment training?
What are the key benefits of Crossroads Institute neurodevelopmental training?
Q. How does neurodevelopmental training work?
Dr. Curtis Cripe: Neurodevelopmental training works based upon the principal of retraining the brain through the brain plasticity concept.
The brain plasticity concept basically states that neural connections can produce new connections based upon a process called synaptic reorganization.
When a child is born there are roughly 250,000 neural connections that are available. As the child grows these connections may be inhibited for whatever reason or they may not be activated properly.
When we apply the brain plasticity concept to brain injury models we see there are specific ways to create that process. We look specifically to the assessments to understand which functions in the brain are not engaging or functioning as they should. We then encourage the neural pathways through stimulation and Research exercises.
Plasticity continues until the day we die, even the uncommitted brain cells continue to grow until we die.
Q. What is the primary focus of neurodevelopmental training ?
Curtis Cripe: Neurodevelopment Training addresses three concepts:
1. Maturation of brain development
2. The nervous system is organized in loops
3. Brain plasticity
Crossroads Institute neurodevelopmental training's primary focus centers on cognition function and integration within the whole neurological system. The training ensures we use as much if not all of those pieces. This in turn ensures that the child's brain matures and develops as it should. That is really the long and the short of it.
There are some differences in the way others employ neurodevelopmental training. There is neurodevelopmental training in which you have Sensory Integration training, classic neurodevelopment training which is more of an OT type work and then you have a more "cognitive-function" training. Cognitive-function training I am in total agreement with plus I add another piece to it, which further promotes brain development.
Curtis Cripe: We are different in that we target the outcome. I really look at brain processing. Once the brain processing is brought into balance cognition will follow. In addition, from my point of view, when you are looking at neurodevelopment, I am looking at personality development. We use cognitive-function, which pays attention to the emerging person. So we don't try to train out high dominant characteristics.
Your typical neurodevelopment training will work on motor planning and sensory integration issues. They feel that if you work SI that the motor planning will take over. It assumes that with sensory integration training cognitive function will just automatically happen.
Curtis Cripe: No.
Tell me three key features of Neurodevelopment training.
Curtis Cripe:
1. Our assessments. Properly assessing not only what the development of the functional brain systems is, but also how it emerges.
2. How the personality emerges thus making the whole person.
3.We have the tools at our disposal to make it happen.
What are the key benefits of Crossroads Institute Neurodevelopmental training?
Curtis Cripe:
1. It's a natural process without the use of medication therapy.
2. We have an opportunity to take a child from what appears to be low functioning to a child who can make their own choices.
3. As a side benefit, siblings can also benefit from the same therapy and help accelerate their own brain function.
4. Learned mastery vs. learned helplessness. When the parents and the child realize they can and do develop brain function all things are possible.