Developmental Pediatrics was the vision of physical therapist Lily Frasch, PT, C/NDT. She recieved her BA in Biology and Chemistry from Hope College in Holland MI and her graduate degree in Physical Therapy at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University in New York City.
Ms. Frasch was a founder of developmental intervention programs in the Neonatal Intensive Care Nurseries and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Memorial Hospital (currently Children’s Hospital) in Colorado Springs.
She completed her training and certification in Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) as well as completion of the Advanced Infant Neurodevelopmental Treatment.
In 1994 she wrote and produced a 13 part television series for PBS on infant and child development and therapeutic intervention entitled,”A Step Ahead”, which won the Colorado Broadcasters Award for Best Children’s Programming.
In 2014, Ms. Frasch was presented with the Hope Award by the Cerebral Palsy Association of the Pikes Peak Region for her lifetime dedication and service to the children and families with special needs.
What is Neuro Development Treatment(NDT)?
Pediatric therapy is a specialty that requires additional training and education beyond the standard degree in order to provide the most effective and beneficial therapy program.
Neurodevelopmental Treatment is the Gold Standard for pediatric therapy.
Certification in NDT requires an intensive and complex course of study into human neurology and physiology that is based on current research regarding motor learning and control and the implications for the infant developmental sequence. Due to the intensity of this course of study, not many therapists achieve this level of knowledge and skill.
How will I know if my therapist is certified in NDT?
It is always good to ask about the credentials and level of experience of the professional working with your child. Not all facilities or organizations use fully degreed therapists and instead rely on professionals with varying backgrounds, from 2 year assistant degrees, educational degrees such as early childhood specialists and aides all of which have their own skill sets.
You can identify therapists who have been certified in NDT by the professional designation after their signature. For instance, an Occupational Therapist would designate their degree and certification using OTR, C/NDT.
Developmental Pediatrics is proud to state that we have 2 Physical Therapists and 1 Occupational Therapist who have completed not only their NDT certification, but also the Advanced Infant NDT course of study. The level of experience working with infants and young children ranges from nearly 20 years to 35 years!
Why outpatient therapy?
Developmental Pediatrics is solely an outpatient clinic. Our clinic was designed in order to provide for a variety of learning and movement experiences in a fun and safe environment. Children are much more free to explore and experience the surroundings here with a greater variety.
Much of the equipment we use is just not found in a home, such as swings, bolsters, zip lines and balls of all sizes. The home environment in almost all cases is very limited on space which restricts the therapists abilities to work effectively with a child.
Children with disabilities often have difficulty engaging with others and making friends. This can be encouraged here in a non threatening and fun way. Outpatient therapy also opens up networking and learning opportunities for parents as well. New friendships are made, information and resources are shared freely. Parents of children with special needs quickly discover their friends that have typically developing children do not understand the challenges and worries they now face, but the other parents they meet here do! Often the friendships made here last a lifetime!
Therapy is also structured differently at Developmental Pediatrics. We use a strong team approach, which means all of the therapists and the family work together to enhance the abilities of each child. One therapist working by themselves can make a difference, but when all therapists are working together under one roof, communicating, planning and brainstorming is when big changes happen!