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.

“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

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.

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.

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.

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)

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

I am so happy we found Cheshire Fitness Zone. This is just what my son needs. His school also heard of you guys and said great things. I’m happy to know he is in good hands.
Anonymous
I love working at Cheshire Fitness Zone because the therapy team is always willing to collaborate and share different treatment strategies and therapy techniques. You are never at a loss for ideas!
Anonymous
The physical therapists at Cheshire Fitness Zone are warm, caring individuals. They have worked with my daughter for about a year and a half now and she has made tremendous progress building her core strength, coordination, balance, and overall strengthening. I recommend them highly.
Kristine Livolsi
We have been coming to Cheshire Fitness Zone for more than two years. The therapists are friendly, compassionate, and professional. Not only do they do a fabulous job with the therapy, but they also consider the individual behavioral needs for our son. They are caring while pushing him to achieve goals that at times he might feel he can do and he does. Thank you to Craig and the staff for all that you do!
The Smedbergs
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!
Anonymous
My family has been blessed with this amazing crew at Cheshire Fitness Zone for almost five years. My daughter started PT at six months of age when we discovered unexpected delays. The staff from day one has gone above and beyond to help my daughter to be where she is today. They are not only extremely knowledgeable in their individual fields, but make everyone who walks through their door feel welcome and cared for. After the past five years, I consider these individuals like family. They have taught me so many ways to help my daughter and also to strive for the best and prepare for her future. I would highly recommend Cheshire Fitness Zone to anyone who needs services for their children. We appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.
Lisa Werdann
Cheshire Fitness Zone has tremendously helped not only our two children receiving services, but our entire family. The atmosphere in the clinic is friendly, supportive, and understanding. Their office staff is amazing and accommodates each family’s schedule and needs. Our children receive speech, OT, and PT services. Every one of the therapists they have worked with has been wonderful and our children have made incredible progress. The kids also love going to all of their therapy sessions because the therapists make each and every session fun and exciting. We are so fortunate to have found Cheshire Fitness Zone and recommend it to any family looking for services for their children.
Delia Falcon (Special Education Teacher)
I am privileged to work with amazing children, wonderful families, skilled therapists, and professional staff each day at Cheshire Fitness Zone. We are a team working toward the best possible outcome for each unique child. I am so thankful to be a part of such a special place.
Anonymous
A five star rating would not be enough for Cheshire Fitness Zone! From the first time I called to schedule my son’s consult to now one year later, we are consistently greeted by the most caring and loving staff. My son goes to Cheshire Fitness Zone for oral motor/speech therapy and sees Miss Kim. When I say she is the best, she truly is! From day one she has put her heart and soul into my child’s therapy. The strides my son has made in one year is amazing. Not only is Kim the nicest person ever, she is extremely knowledgeable in her field and is constantly thinking of new ways to improve my son’s speech.
Nicole Rybaruk
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!
Heather M.

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