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Brain injury rehabilitation is not just a medical issue. Given that the two major weapons of modern medicine are drugs and surgery, we can see why. There are no drugs that will activate the recuperative powers of the brain nor can this be achieved by surgical means. This is not to say that the medical profession is inadequate, for they are doctors not therapists.
What is required is to find and implement an appropriate therapy program. One type of therapy that has been successful in restoring function after brain injury is Neuro-Developmental Therapy. The theory and practical application of this approach is really quite simple.
Brain injury results in the destruction of brain cells, the degree of loss depending on the severity and nature of the trauma. Even though the brain injury may be severe, if life is preserved there must be surviving cells at each brain level. Since the brain consists of billions of cells, the number of surviving cells could be quite large. Recovery of function can occur if these dormant or non-specific areas of the brain are stimulated into action. If reached, these cells may be able to take over the functions of the destroyed neurons.
Normal brain development demonstrates how this can happen. At birth, a normal brain is immature, as evidenced by the low level of function of the human newborn. The process of normal development helps wire-up and organise the brain - the normal motor stages and the accompanying sensory input transforms non specific cells into functioning neurons, and the whole system gradually becomes highly organised.
Neuro-Developmental Therapy applies the principles of normal development to the treatment of brain injured children. It recognises that normal brain growth follows a structured pattern, a step-by-step process by which higher brain areas progressively develop from the levels below. A normal baby usually crawls before it walks, and wherever possible the same should apply to a brain injured child.
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