Esperienza e formazione nella Terapia della Neuro e Psicomotricità dell'Età Evolutiva: la nascita di una professione e di una metodologia riabilitativa

Childhood and adolescence Neuropsychiatry started during the XX century. After the 2nd World War, a rehabilitative approach in this field developed in Italy. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, neuromuscular facilitation, speech therapy, neuropsychological, psychomotor and other techniques melted into an individualized, eclectic method called ‘Terapia della Neuro e Psicomotricità dell’età Evolutiva’ (Neuro-Psychomotor Therapy of Developmental Age, NPMTDA) dedicated to the motor, sensorial, language, cognitive and relational disabilities of children and adolescents. At the beginning, an eclectic approach had been an obliged option owing to lack of therapeutic resources. In spite of manifold know-how required, in NPMTDA the treatment is performed by one therapist whose competence is defined by patient’s age rather than particular techniques or disorders. A global diagnostic and therapeutic approach is adopted even if definite developmental processes are impaired. We could reconstruct the development of NPMTDA at the University ‘La Sapienza’ of Rome, where Giovanni Bollea had created a team of childhood and adolescence Neuropsychiatry. In the 50’s three physiotherapists coming form the U.S.A., expert in physical, occupational and speech therapy, were the first trainers of roman therapists. Their assessment scheme was adapted to the needs of neuropsychiatric disorders and gradually the above mentioned practices flowed into both evaluation and therapeutic method, thanks also to the competence of other NPCA specialists. A rehabilitation school officially dedicated to children started only in 1973, though it had existed informally since the beginning. It progressively increased in academic dignity finally becoming, in 2000, a graduate school. The professional progress of therapists was favoured by medical advances, National Health Service institution (in the 70’s), territorial spreading of rehabilitation centres, academic evolution of NPMTDA teaching.