What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy assists the child and family with participating in their daily occupations. These occupations can include dressing, eating, bathing, and most importantly- play. The occupational therapist can provide interventions that assist the child with participating in their most favorite activities. These interventions can include fine and gross motor tasks, bilateral coordination, handwriting, sensory integration, and more.

For more information, you can visit the following websites:

What is 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 towards 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.

DMI focuses on the following items:

1. Gross motor skills
2. Gradual progression
3. Alignment and Postural Control
4. Range of Motion
5. Balance
6. Functional movements
7. Somatosensory Development
8. Modifying tone, primitive reflexes, and abnormal patterns of movement
9. Global Development

(Source: www.dmitherapy.com)

For more information, you can visit the following website:

Dynamic Movement Intervention

What is Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)?

Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is an evidenced based approach to increase fine motor skills, coordination, and overall use of an affected upper extremity through the use of repetitive tasks and activities. During CIMT, a constraint is placed on the unaffected arm throughout most of the waking hours of the day and during therapy. Changes occur via neuroplasticity that can increase overall functional use of the arm.

CIMT also includes the use of both upper extremities in purposeful activities. After the completion of using a constraint, it best to be followed with practicing using both extremities during tasks to increase the coordination of using both hands together. These tasks will assist with focusing on the goals of the family and child to enhance participation in daily life.

What is Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation?

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation, is when a device is used to send an electrical impulse to the muscles. This electrical impulse can assist the muscle to contract and can also provide awareness to muscles that are weak or the child has using consistently. Functional Electrical Stimulation is when the electrical stimulation is used in conjunction with a task or exercise to facilitate the muscles to participate more. Spinal Stimulation is when one of the electrodes from the devices are placed along the spinal cord/vertebrae and the other is placed on a corresponding but weak muscle to increase awareness, sensory input, strength, and more.

The device that I use with children is the Chattanooga Continuum and can be viewed at the following link: Chattanooga Continuum

What is the Intensive Model of Therapy?

The Intensive Model of Therapy affects the frequency and duration of intervention that it utilized with a child with Cerebral Palsy or other neurological disorders. The frequency (how many times per week) and duration (the amount of time the session is) is increased to 1-3 hours per day for 1-3 weeks. This model can provide a burst of input to the child that increase neuroplasticity and motor recovery for skills. This model of therapy intervention is also research supported and is utilized by many different practices and clinics around the world.

Foundations That Fund Intensive Therapy

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