Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Neurodevelopment?
There are certain steps children grow through as they develop. If any
of these steps are skipped, then the brain and pathways do not develop
properly. This may cause learning inefficiencies or learning disabilities
later on. The good news is that children and adults at any age can go
back through the stages of neurodevelopment to improve organization, short-term
memory, long-term memory, coordination and academic abilities.
What Is The Neurodevelopmental Approach?
The Neurodevelopmental Approach is a methodology of stimulating the brain
with specific activities that will bring about an increase in neuro-pathways,
resulting in better neuro-efficiency. With better neuro-efficiency one
can receive, process, store, and retrieve information more easily. We work
with the root causes of learning difficulties, as opposed to medicating
and teaching coping and compensating skills.
At What Age Does The ND Approach work?
In the past 40 years, researchers have discovered the amazing plasticity
of the brain. Therefore, there are no age restrictions. Whether you have
an infant born with Down Syndrome, or you are an adult who has been dealing
with attention and focusing issues all your life, the Neurodevelopmental
Approach can help.
What Do I Do To Get Started With Your Program?
There are three things we require to set up the initial evaluation appointment.
First, you must either attend one of our seminars we provide each month,
or you may purchase our DVD “The Neurodevelopmental Approach”.
It is important you understand our approach to working with children.
Parents are greatly involved and you need to know what is expected. Second,
you will need to supply us with a completed history
form. You can download the form, fill it in, and fax it to us, or
save the completed form as a Word document, then email it to us at evalinfo@littlegiantsteps.com.
Last, the deposit is required. Call Alysa at our office (972-636-8089)
if you need additional help.
How does your program differ from other disciplines?
The ND Approach is very eclectic and takes into consideration the whole
child, assessing nine levels of six developmental areas: auditory, visual,
tactility, mobility, language, and manual function. We are educationally
based as opposed to medical, psychological, OT, etc. Far from static in
its methodologies, the ND Approach trains professionals and parents how
to use the brain's plasticity to further the child's functional abilities.
Parents and/or teachers will work with their children on a daily basis
instead of traditional weekly therapies.
How much time (daily) does the program take?
Each individual program varies in the time requirements. During the initial
evaluation, parents, together with their Neurodevelopmentalist will determine
how much time will be needed to meet the needs and make lasting changes
in their child's life. Experience has taught us that our programs can
only be successful if implemented. It is a commitment that yields great
rewards for the balance of the child's life. Those parents who choose
to make that commitment have no regrets, because they see the benefits
of having a child who can succeed where they once were failing. Please
visit our success stories from parents who once
found themselves feeling helpless and hopeless about their child, because
they didn't know what to do.
How long does the whole process take?
Average 12 to 18 months. Some like this way of teaching and prefer it
for their home school curriculums.
What should I expect from the initial evaluation?
(listen to what parents say...)
The first evaluation was overwhelming. There was so much information to
take in. It seemed like there were a lot of issues to address. But we
were assured very quickly that we would be given the tools to help our
son recover and that recovery was possible. For the first time, we understood
why our son could not function in certain areas.
R. F. 4/01
The first evaluation was overwhelming (4 hours) and tiring but so encouraging
and reassuring. We were told many things we suspected; we were acknowledged
for having some intelligence and commended for all we had done in behalf
of helping our child (even the things that didn't work; it was our intent
that was commended). The information given was hard to grapple. Having
a cassette tape made at the time (so we could re-listen later) was a great
help and stress reliever since we didn't' have to remember so much. We
were also made aware that our son's problems was much more complicated
than we had thought or been led to believe. Our biggest problem was skepticism;
true, our Neurodevelopmentalist spent 4 hours with us but she seemed to
know about 300 times more than what other “specialists” had
discovered in much longer time spans. The proof was in the pudding!
J. R. 5/01
Do you see improvement right away?
We did not. Things actually got worse for a while – lots more emotionality,
temper flares, confusion. But after about one month, everything settled
down and we saw improvement. It was rough at first, but we are glad that
we stuck with it.
R. R. 4/01
Within just on week after starting program, our son (moderately autistic,
severe language delay) was stimming noticeably less (particularly with
doors and light switches) and engaging more appropriately in play. He
is also much less ticklish on his feet and around his neck. This makes
it so much easier to put shirts and socks on!!!
E. R. 4/01
Our 13 year old son has been on program for 9 months, so far. We saw
a “settling down” for the first two weeks, then we saw utter
chaos and confusion. I doubted whether I would survive the dramatically
increased emotionality, inappropriate behavior, skittishness, tactile
sensitivity, and belligerence. (I wasn't sure I would survive my own increased
emotionality!) Within 4 weeks, however, we started seeing some good improvement
and within 2 months, HE began to see some good improvement.
J. R. 5/01
Is the cost worth it?
Yes, ND therapy can be quite costly, but nowhere else do you get more
value for your money. This program gives children life-long skills; skills
that equip them to have productive careers and relationships. I believe
that without ND, our son (13 years old) would not have been able to go
onto post secondary education. Now, I have no doubt that he will be able
to do whatever he wants with his life. Expensive? Yes, but not in the
relative scheme of things. Nothing worth this much can come easily. Money
well invested in my son's future sure beats buying a new car or taking
a trip to Disney World.
R. F. 5/01
My husband and I have one son who has been on program for 6 months. We
home school our children. Our middle son did not start learning to read
until he was 7 years old, and reading and spelling have always been difficult
for him. We are mainly working on visual dominance, macular reflection,
and tactility issues. I sometimes feel like the “Patch Patrol”
constantly reminding him to wear his patch! And then, there are the dreaded
“bug” glasses as we like to call them (pinhole glasses)! We
have also worked on visual and auditory sequential processing, conceptualization,
and articulation. At our 4 month re-evaluation, we were so encouraged
with the results. We saw changes/ progress in all areas, including a 2 grade level jump in all academic
testing areas. I was especially thrilled with his improvement in reading
decoding which is very weak. We have yet to see improvement in spelling,
but I have faith that it will follow once his visual dominance and reflection
problems are completely corrected. I am sold on the benefits of this program
and so very thankful for it and the work of our evaluator. It has been
an answer to prayer!
J. G. 1/2000