Dynamic Movement Intervention 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 is to elicit a specific motor response from the child, in reaction to dynamic exercises prescribed by the therapist. This comprehensive intervention, which incorporates current research on neurorehabilitation, technologies, and methodologies, is designed to stimulate neuroplasticity. This stimulation facilitates the development of new neuronal connections and the achievement of motor milestones.
The therapist chooses exercises that will challenge the child’s neurological system to the highest level of skill and exercises that develop the core and foundational milestones. Exercises involve movement against gravity, progressively more challenging support, provocation of desired movements, and postural and strength challenges.
During a treatment session, the child will engage in a variety of exercises, each providing unique sensory and motor challenges. The repetition of each exercise around 5 times, and the potential for these exercises to be repeated from session to session, is key. This repetition is what helps the movements become automatic, leading to improved balance and function. The exercises are conducted on a tabletop or the floor, depending on the child’s abilities.
DMI Therapy works well in conjunction with other therapeutic techniques and therapy equipment. These are often combined in a treatment session to provide better alignment and enhance optimal outcomes.
Erin's successful completion of multiple DMI treatment intensives, each yielding fantastic results, is a testament to the therapy's effectiveness and the dedication of our team.
Kids have achieved the following goals:
- Crawling
- Crawling with symmetry
- Walking independently
- Pulling to stand
- Cruising
- Transitioning to and from sitting
- Rolling
Erin has been working with several clients on weekly DMI sessions. She has experience with medically fragile kids.
Erin is Level C trained and has been practicing DMI since 2022!
Emily is Level A DMI trained!
Jenna is Level B DMI trained!
Peter is Level B DMI trained!
Reflex Integration
When you think of reflexes, you might think of sitting in the doctor’s office when the doctor taps below the knee and the lower leg kicks out. The doctor checks this reflex to make sure the central nervous system is doing its job of reacting to sensory stimulation. This knee-jerk reaction is significant because it supports standing and balancing.
Reflexes are movement patterns hardwired into the brain. When a reflex emerges, it serves a purpose. For example, the rooting reflex helps a newborn to feed by triggering the baby to automatically turn their head in the direction their mouth has been touched.
Some reflexes stay forever, such as the knee jerk, and some should recede to the background once they have done their job. For example, the rooting reflex should disappear in 4 months - imagine how hard it would be to eat and drink if your head moved every time your mouth was stroked?
During an OT evaluation, we assess reflexes to make sure each reflex was expressed entirely and is now in the background, ready to support a child’s development. If the reflex is lying ‘awake’ when it should be ‘asleep’ it can interfere with function.
Reflex integration plays a significant role in sensory processing – especially in staying calm and organized. Defensive patterns of behavior begin in utero to ensure protection and survival. When the baby is born, they must protect himself from danger. Their Moro reflex triggers them to cry when new sensory information is present – bright lights, loud sounds, unexpected touches, and changes in position. Over time, this reflex should recede, fall asleep, and be replaced by the startle reflex. This enables the developing baby to react to new sensory stimulation while maintaining calm. If the Moro reflex stays awake, it is hard for the child to feel safe. They can sense danger in daily situations (even when no threat is present), making them sensitive and reactive and difficult to regulate their emotions.
Other reflexes affect different aspects of function, such as postural control, vision skills, and balance. Some of the main reflexes we asses include the Moro, tonic labyrinthine, the symmetrical tonic neck reflex, the asymmetrical tonic neck reflex, and the spinal galant, among others. These reflexes are responsible for setting the stage for the body and brain to develop an equilibrium – both emotionally and physically.
Once we assess your child, we will review what reflexes are present and awake and begin a treatment plan to help these reflexes mature into the background.
Our therapists have extensive coursework in reflex integration, including Rhythmic Movement Training, MNRI, Move/Play/Thrive approach, and Vital Links. During an assessment, we look at all the reflexes that could be impeding function and causing emotional and behavioral challenges.
Handwriting Help
As OTs, we get many calls about kids struggling with handwriting in school. When someone refers a child to us for handwriting, something else is usually going on too. Kinetic Kids Occupational Therapy, PLLC, is trained to get to the bottom of what's going on. We evaluate the underlying components that support a child's handwriting, including strength, endurance, primitive reflexes, coordination, motor and postural control, and eye-hand coordination. These areas of development can provide clues as to why a child is struggling. We will give you answers about why your child is struggling with their handwriting!
How Can We Help Your Child?
- Work on posture to support the proper use of the arms, hands, head, and eyes.
- Work on strength and endurance.
- Work on fine motor control, grasp, and ability to hold a writing utensil, focusing on reflexes including hand grasping, hand pulling, and Babkin.
- Work on visual and perceptual skills that help a child's ability to form letters and shapes using a writing utensil.
- Work on integrating primitive reflexes that assist with body and hand coordination.
- Collaborate with teachers on effective strategies that work for your child.
- Suggest home activities that promote the development of skills needed in good handwriting.
We have certified providers of the SIZE MATTERS HANDWRITING PROGRAM. The Size Matters Handwriting Program is the first handwriting instructional program that is fully embeddable, measurable, and proven. In addition, Handwriting Without Tears is another approach used in the practice.
Babies!
Erin has extensive experience working with the birth to 12-month-old population. Erin provides Occupational therapy assessments for Infants. She is a level C DMI trained practitioner (Dynamic Movement Intervention).
She has experience with full-term and premature infants. If your baby is not meeting their motor milestones, has difficulty taking a bottle or learning how to eat, has a problematic personality, or has difficulty sleeping and playing, these can be red flags that something more significant is happening. These things can often result from an underdeveloped or stressed nervous system. Erin can assess these underlying causes and help develop a plan that works to get your baby back on track.
Working with babies who have had traumatic birth experiences and premature births is a personal passion for Erin. She truly understands the connection between an underdeveloped nervous system and how it relates to the baby's ability to function in their occupations (eat, sleep, play!).
Erin is also trained in the Tummy Time! Method. Erin is also a Certified Infant Massage Coach and provides in-depth training for parents interested in infant massage for babies as young as three weeks.
Sensory Intensives
Kinetic Kids is well known for their sensory intensives modeled after the star institute.
Program Information:
- Occupational Therapy is provided 3-5 times weekly in a private sensory gym setting.
- All sessions are 1:1, with no other individuals in the treatment space.
- Sessions can be 30, 45, or 60 minutes.
- Treatments are customized to each child and can target sensory processing, gross motor, fine motor, and/or handwriting skills.
- An OT evaluation is required to analyze current functioning and set goals. If your child has had an OT evaluation within the last six months, we are happy to accept that. If not, we can provide an OT assessment or a comprehensive evaluation.
What Treatment Looks Like:
Treatments always focus on improving your child’s self-esteem and skills. We build a solid and trusting relationship with your child, allowing us to challenge your child while supporting their ability to regulate their body and emotions. We use a sensory integrative model to provide sensory inputs and help your child make adaptive responses to solve problems using their brain and body. Kids have fun and feel empowered during and after play.
Benefits of an Intensive Therapy Model:
- Increasing the intensity and frequency of treatment strengthens the central nervous system, allowing the brain to make new and more effective connections.
- Research suggests this model can effectively remediate motor, social-emotional, and adaptive behavior problems for children struggling with sensory processing challenges.
Is a Summer Intensive a Good Option for Your Family?
- Has it been challenging to complete home programming between sessions?
- Would your child benefit from a booster before re-entering school?
- Are you concerned your child may regress without their daily programming?
