Neurodevelopmental therapy (NDT)
child‐initiated movements, movement impairments
NDT is a concept aimed at identifying typical and atypical movements, facilitating typical movements, reducing atypical movements, and enhancing independence and function in daily activities. NDT practitioners undergo 40 days of training to learn facilitation techniques. These therapist‐guided techniques are called “handlings” or “hands‐on.” Handlings are special techniques used to prevent asymmetrical movements or atypical muscle tones in infants and children. The techniques were instructed for parents to use when holding, carrying, dressing, and bathing their children. The concept also uses positioning to encourage symmetrical movement and active participation of infants and children in daily activities such as play and feeding. NDT aims to improve function and participation by normalizing movement impairments. The concept aims to restore muscle tone and normal movement by suppressing atypical reflexes and postures (Vaughan‐Graham & Cott, In our study, during the first 3 months of intervention, NDT had specific handling techniques for daily use, including carrying, bathing, changing diapers, and positioning the infant in the midline to maintain symmetrical movements throughout the day. It also uses U‐pillows and engaging toys in the visual space to help improve babies’ body control and facilitate their movement against gravity. In the second 3 months of intervention, the NDT included facilitation techniques for improving trunk control, moving against gravity, transferring weight among different positions, improving symmetrical movements, and improving play opportunities if it did not increase asymmetric or atypical movements. During both intervention periods, infants and children were kept midline and symmetrical with the help of cushions or blankets. The therapist encouraged child‐initiated movements if they fit typical movements (Girolami & Campbell, 