Dynamic Movement Intervention
Intensives help form new neuronal connections crucial for motor skill development
Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) is a therapeutic technique used in physical and occupational therapy to assist children with motor delays in enhancing their automatic postural responses and achieving developmental milestones. DMI’s primary objective is to provoke targeted active motor responses from the child through precisely designed dynamic exercises prescribed by a therapist. This approach promotes neuroplasticity, facilitating the formation of new neuronal connections crucial for motor skill development.
Our intensive programs are customized for each child, informed by collaborative discussions, individual goals, initial assessments, and valuable input from parents and ongoing therapists. We concentrate on various aspects of development, including static and dynamic balance, motor planning, and other impairments, enabling children to progress from fundamental skills like rolling to more complex walking abilities. DMI is particularly effective for children with diagnoses such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, spina bifida, and acquired brain injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our FAQs to find quick answers to common questions about our service.
What is DMI?
“Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) is a therapeutic technique used in physical and occupational therapy to treat children with motor delay by improving automatic postural responses and promoting progress toward developmental milestones. The goal of DMI is to provoke a specified active motor response from the child in response to defined dynamic exercises prescribed by the therapist. This comprehensive intervention incorporates current research on neurorehabilitation, technologies, and methodologies. DMI stimulates neuroplasticity to facilitate new neuronal connections and development of motor milestones.”
– DMITherapy.com
What are intensives?
Intensive therapy programs deliver services to children at an increased frequency, enabling them to achieve significant progress toward the goals established by families and therapists. By enhancing the frequency of sessions, we can facilitate quicker advancements in a shorter timeframe. Each intensive program is tailored to the individual child, taking into account initial assessments, discussions with parents, and insights from ongoing therapists. We focus on a range of areas, including static and dynamic balance, motor planning, and other challenges, helping children develop skills from rolling to advanced walking. Our use of massed practice promotes neuroplasticity, empowering our patients to acquire new gross motor skills effectively.
What should I do if my child becomes upset during a technique or intensive?
It’s not uncommon for children to experience frustration or tears during intensive therapy, especially when engaging in challenging handling techniques. While witnessing this can be difficult, it’s important to remember that these techniques are designed to build strength and enhance body awareness and organization. As your child progresses, their overall tolerance will improve. During these moments, offering your child support and reassurance, while also encouraging the therapist’s efforts, can be incredibly helpful. Children are perceptive; your positive reinforcement of the process will help them feel more at ease throughout their therapy journey.
Once the intensive is complete, how can we continue to support my child’s skills?
At the conclusion of our intensive program, we provide each child with a personalized written home exercise program (HEP) tailored to their specific needs. This program is thoroughly reviewed and practiced with parents on the final day of the intensive to ensure understanding and proper implementation. We also collaborate closely with ongoing therapists to communicate what skills were worked on, the progress made, and the details of the HEP provided to families. If desired, we welcome B23 providers to join a session with prior notice from parents.
What should I bring for my child during the intensive?
To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for your child during the intensive, please bring the following items:
- Snacks for breaks
- Comfortable shoes for various activities
- Any preferred toys that have proven effective in motivating your child at home or during therapy sessions
- A bathing suit and swim diaper (if your child is suitable for aquatic therapy)
Who can benefit from DMI?
Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) may be especially beneficial for children with one or more of the following diagnoses. If you have questions or would like further insights, please don’t hesitate to reach out or discuss with your treating provider:
- Cerebral palsy
- Down syndrome
- Chromosomal abnormalities
- Genetic disorders
Spina bifida - CVA/Stroke/Hypoxic Ischemic
- Encephalopathy (HIE)
- Other spinal cord lesions
- Acquired brain injury
- Arthrogryposis
- Premature infants
- Angelman syndrome
- Periventricular leukomalacia
- Cytomegalovirus
- Undiagnosed global developmental delays, including but not limited to patients with:
– Hypotonia, dystonia, hypertonia, or mixed tone
– Delayed gross motor skill attainment
– Global muscle weakness
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What Clients Are Saying
My twelve year old daughter has been seeing Craig since she was four years old and she loves coming to the ‘gym.’ I love that she refers to it as the ‘gym’ instead of therapy. She sees her therapy as a place where she works her body to become stronger and has fun. She is disappointed if therapy is canceled. The staff is wonderful and works to find the right fit with each child and therapist. They work across modalities and communicate with the school and her doctors. I am thankful to have Cheshire Fitness Zone in my daughter’s life! Thank you!
My girls have been going to Cheshire Fitness Zone since the summer of 2015 and the therapy they receive from their therapist is the best therapy they have ever received. The therapists are the friendliest and nicest group of therapists we have ever met. The girls enjoy going to therapy and I am very happy that we go to Cheshire Fitness Zone.
My son has greatly benefited from OT and PT at Cheshire Fitness Zone. The therapists are so patient and knowledgeable. The facility is also very impressive and fun. We look forward to seeing our son progress as we continue therapy.
Cheshire Fitness Zone has been wonderful. The office staff is very welcoming and informative and the OT that my son sees has a genuine interest in my son’s well-being. He always communicates well with me and makes sure to ease all of my concerns. My son loves coming to Cheshire Fitness Zone!
Cheshire Fitness Zone provides staff at our school that understands the role of related service providers in educational settings, meet the educationally related needs of the students, and communicate well with faculty, staff, and parents. They exhibit a high degree of professionalism and state of the art physical therapy.
Everyone at Cheshire Fitness is always so friendly and welcoming. They provide a wonderful atmosphere for the children and are so supportive. The best gift anyone can give a parent is caring for his or her kid and helping his or her kid to live to their greatest potential and that is exactly what the therapists at Cheshire Fitness Zone do. They truly care and we will be forever grateful for the tools they have provided our child.
Both of our sons have participated in physical, occupational, and speech therapy at Cheshire Fitness Zone. We make the forty minute trek to Cheshire three times per week because the therapists are like none other we have encountered. Our sons (4 and 5 years old) have received therapy since birth and I was so pleased to have found Cheshire Fitness Zone. Both of my kids have been challenged and nurtured by the therapists. They are so amazing with the kids and I am thankful for their dedication.
We can’t thank you enough. I don’t think we would be where we are if it wasn’t for your care, guidance, and support for Cole and us.
I honestly can’t thank you enough for all the time you spent with us and the very valuable advice that you gave.
My son has greatly benefited from OT and PT at Cheshire Fitness Zone. The therapists are so patient and knowledgeable. The facility is also very impressive and fun. We look forward to seeing our son progress as we continue therapy.