Castillo Morales

Rodolfo Castillo Morales grew up in Argentina where he was deeply influenced by the practices of his native community. Here, he learned at a very early age to sharpen his skills of observation in the plant and animal world surrounding him. And it was also here that an ancient medical tradition, a whole way of life and a fundamental respect for life were passed on to him.

In 1968, he completed his medical studies in the medical field of rehabilitation in Madrid/Spain. For over 30 years, he has directed a rehabilitation center for children and adults in Cordoba/ Argentina.

Over the course of his career, Castillo Morales developed and refined a therapeutic concept centering on sensory-motor and orofacial conditions and which resulted in the following treatment methods:

Neuromotor development therapy (NDT)
Orofacial regulation therapy (ORT)

Since 1997, these two treatment methods have been unified into (and taught as) a single unit, as treatment in the orofacial area remains ineffective without taking into consideration and stabilizing the postural background.

The final aim of Dr. Castillo Morales´ work in this area was the communication of his entire concept in the framework of a 6-week advanced training course.

The Treatment Concept
Castillo Morales developed his sensory-motor treatment concept on the basis of many years of experience working with children afflicted by muscle hypotonia.

The treatment concept has been expanded over the years and today encompasses the following medical indications:

Children with genetic syndromes and muscle hypotonia
Children with slowed sensory-motor development
Children and adults with central-motor disorders and/or multiple disabilities
Patients with peripheral partial paralysis
Patients with neuromuscular disorders
Post skull-brain trauma patients and post coma patients

The Therapy
The therapy orients itself on the normal sensory-motor development of the child. Proprioceptive events are brought into relief via treatment techniques involving, e.g., tension, pressure and vibration, and visual-spatial orientation is used as a comportment stabilizer. As a result, the children become more alert, responsive and motivated. They process signals in their environment better, become more capable of communicating and demonstrate an increased willingness to experiment.

Much attention is given to the support function of the feet and the children are encouraged as soon as possible to assume an erect position (ideally orienting themselves on the bodies of their parents).

The Orofacial Treatment Concept (Orofacial Regulation Therapy)
EIn devising his orofacial treatment concept, Castillo Morales drew upon his extensive professional experience in working with children with lip, jaw and palatal clefts, and with children afflicted by Down syndrome.

The concept is today applied in the treatment of patients with the most various of sensory-motor disorders in area of the face, mouth and throat. These include:

Children with Pierre Robin syndrome
Children with Moebius syndrome
Patients with neurological disorders and attendant orofacial symptoms, for instance, in the case of neuromuscular disorders, cerebral palsy, skull-brain trauma and stroke.

The therapy presupposes a comprehensive knowledge of muscular processes, various muscle functions, the development of the physiological functions of the orofacial complex and of the total-body complex, as well as the interaction of these systems. It is necessary that the treatment consider conditions of emotional, communicative and social development, as well as criteria centering on the autonomous development of the child.

A Dialogue of Trust Based on Mutuality
The concept of the human being espoused by Castillo Morales can be felt by all of those who have an opportunity to witness him as a practitioner treating children and adults. The person behind the patient with a disorder occupies the very center of the Castillo-Morales concept.

Drawing upon his experience with the native peoples of Latin America, Castillo Morales has adopted a practice involving direct physical contact to promote development in children. In order to initiate contact with the child, it is necessary for us to venture onto the child´s level. When in direct, personal contact, the child is motivated to try out the new and to discover its world. Motor learning takes place in the conscious awareness of ones own body and in its contact with the environment. It is not a matter of practicing certain behaviors, but of showing patients the way to achieving self development.

Creating the conditions for the emergence of autonomous action requires patience and a respect for the subject´s inner clock.

Proceeding in accordance with this understanding enables a dialogue based on trust and mutuality, a dialogue that forms the necessary foundation for meaningful therapy. Only a person who feels good will endeavor to play, experiment and learn.

Author: Dr. Angelika Enders, Haunersches Kinderspital, Munich