Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s remarkable ability to reorganise and adapt. Neuroplasticity plays a crucial role in paediatric therapy and how we can help children to learn, recover from injuries, and develop skills. In this blog post, we delve into what neuroplasticity is, what it means for paediatric therapy, its implications for various conditions, and practical strategies therapists use to harness its power.
What is Neuroplasticity?
Neuroplasticity, also known as brain plasticity, refers to the brain’s ability to adapt and change in response to experience, learning, injury or disease. Neuroplasticity involves the reorganisation of pathways between nerves in the brain (neural pathways), including the formation of new connections between nerve cells (synapses) in the brain and the remapping of existing ones.
How neuroplasticity works:
Neuroplasticity occurs through several mechanisms or processes:
Changes in the strength and efficacy of connections between nerve cells (this process is called synaptic plasticity). Neural connections that are used a lot will be strengthened, and those pathways become more efficient and automated, leading to more efficient and automated movement, skills, or thinking. Neural connections that are not used will become weaker and less efficient.
The generation of new nerve cells (this process is called neurogenesis). This particularly occurs in the hippocampus (the part of the brain involved in learning and memory).
Reorganising pathways between the nerves in the brain in response to sensory or motor changes or input (this is called cortical remapping).
How neuroplasticity impacts learning or recovery from injury:
Learning and skill acquisition: neuroplasticity underpins our ability to learn new skills throughout life. Whether it’s learning to play a musical instrument, mastering a language, or acquiring academic knowledge, the brain’s ability to rewire itself facilitates these processes.
Rehabilitation and recovery: in cases of brain injury or neurological conditions, neuroplasticity plays a crucial role in recovery. Rehabilitation therapies aim to leverage neuroplasticity to promote recovery of lost function through targeted exercises, sensory stimulation, and cognitive training.
Strategies that therapists use to harness and enhance neuroplasticity in therapy:
Structured and repetivitive activities: Helping children to practice carefully structured activities over and over helps to promote the formation of new neural connections, and to strengthen the optimal neural pathways to help make activities more efficient. Therapists design activities that challenge specific skills while gradually increasing complexity to continually build on the neural pathways being laid down and strengthened in the brain.
Multi-sensory approaches: integrating multiple senses (visual, auditory, tactile) during therapy sessions enhances neural activation and promotes strengthening of pathways and cortical remapping. For example, using music or interactive games stimulates diverse brain areas involved in sensory processing and motor coordination, which can strengthen the neural pathways and enhance the child’s performance of a task.
Individualised treatment plans: therapists will explore and harness each child’s unique strengths, challenges, and developmental stage to optimise the treatment intervention to enhance neuroplastic changes. Therapists tailor treatment plans to address specific goals, ensuring interventions are relevant and effective in promoting neuroplastic changes.
How you, as a parent, can harness and enhance neuroplasticity:
Parents and carers play a pivotal role in fostering neuroplasticity outside therapy sessions.
Practicing activities at home: the more your child can practice a task or activity or exercise, the more they will be strengthening the neural pathways in their brain for that activity.
Creating enriched environments: providing opportunities for play, exploration and learning that stimulate cognitive and motor development, using all their senses, with lots of opportunity for a variety of play and skills practice.
Encouraging adaptive strategies: support your child in using new or emerging skills and adaptive strategies in daily routines to allow repetition of practice and integration of skills into their everyday life.
Conclusion:
Neuroplasticity is the powerful driver behind remarkable growth and improvement in children receiving therapy. By understanding and harnessing the brain’s adaptive abilities, paediatric therapists and families can support children to progress through developmental milestones, overcome challenges, achieve their goals and thrive. Early intervention, personalised treatment plans and supportive environments lay the foundation for maximising neuroplasticity and therefore outcomes for children.
If you would like to learn more about how you can assist your child to achieve progress and work towards their goals, please don’t hesitate to contact us for an appointment with