Developmental theories of motor control are the theoretical cornerstone of pediatric neurological physiotherapeutic practice, with physiotherapists recommending “physiologists of applied motor control” (Shumway-Cook & Woollacott 2012) in their attempt to educate children with motor problems. , in order for them to evolve and optimize their rough operating capability.

Over the course of the sixty-plus years of pediatric neurological physiotherapy, the developmental theories of motor control have changed dramatically, completely remodeling the way assessment and therapeutic intervention are performed. In the 1980s, technological advances in motion recording and brain imaging have led to many studies that have contributed to the development of new kinetic control theories, known as “dynamic system theories” (Thelen & Smith 2006). These theories have identified ‘central nervous system’, ‘physical activity’, ‘environment’ and ‘structural changes’ as important and equivalent components of motor development, creating new physiotherapeutic intervention strategies known as ‘functional approach’ (functional approach) approach).

The functional approach is not a method, but rather the expression of dynamic systems theories in the process of evaluation and treatment. Therefore, the functional approach takes a variety of names, depending on the degree to which each important motor behavior control parameter is projected, such as e.g. “Task-oriented” or “activity-focused approach”, “participation-based therapy”, “targeted activity training”, “goal-directed” or “family-centered functional therapy” and “context therapy”. In the functional approach, the physiotherapist is the “teacher” who helps the child become an “active problem solver” in motor learning (Skoutelis & Dimitriadis 2016). References Shumway-Cook A, Woollacott MH. Motor control: translating research into clinical practice. 4th ed. Lippincott Williams & amp; Wilkins, China, 2012 Thelen E, Smith LB. Dynamic systems theories. In: Damon W, Lerner RM (eds) Handbook of child psychology: volume 1: theoretical models of human development. 6th ed. John Wiley & amp; Sons, USA, 2006: 258-312 Skoutelis BC, Dimitriadis Z. The evolution of physiotherapy in the clinical management of children with cerebral palsy: a functional approach. Hellenic Medical Archives 2016, 33 (4): 532-541