For over a decade, CI Pediatric Therapy Centers has been a leader in intensive therapy programs, offering Advance, an intensive physical and occupational therapy program and seeing the incredible results in the physical abilities of each child that has come through our doors! Read on to learn more about how Advance’s intensive therapy model could benefit your child and family!
Introducing the Intensive: What is the Advance program?
Advance, a standout among pediatric intensive therapy programs, is an intensive physical and occupational therapy program based in Verona and Wausau, Wisconsin. This program runs for four weeks, five days per week, for four hours per day and targets a wide range of gross motor skills, including full body strengthening, functional mobility (working on meeting motor milestones) and transitions (the ability to independently move between positions, e.g., moving from sitting to safely lying on the floor), coordination and motor planning, and static and dynamic balance (stability while standing still and while moving).
The Advance Program has a team of over twenty experienced and specially-trained physical and occupational therapists who work together to create individualized, effective treatment plans for each child. This team has a large number of specialty training, including in Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI), neurological rehabilitation, gait analysis, constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), postural and breathing control, and more!
An Individualized Intensive: Is my child a good candidate for Advance?
We understand that four hours of therapy per day might seem extensive, but it is a hallmark of effective intensive therapy programs like ours. We are confident that the majority of children are great candidates for the Advance program. This experienced team has seen young people between the ages of 8 months through 24 years, and they have all thrived using an individualized care plan crafted at the beginning of each round of Advance.
We support children with a wide range of skills and diagnoses, including those with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, genetic disorders, global gross motor developmental delays, hypo/hypertonia, spina bifida, hemiplegia/stroke, and post-operative conditions. Our sensory room and equipment are great for helping children with sensory needs.
Children who are appropriate for physical and occupational therapy are also frequently recommended to attend more than once per year! We allow children to participate up to four times per year as long as there are at least three months between each round of Advance!
Support from Day 1 to 20: What is included in the Advance program?
The first day of Advance has time dedicated to comprehensive physical and occupational therapy evaluations, during which our therapists work directly with you and your child to develop a relevant plan of care and goals that will be targeted throughout the program. On the final day, families will receive an individualized home exercise program including videos of exercises, written descriptions of those exercises, and further recommendations. In between days 1 and 20, your child will receive the highest quality care in a state-of-the-art environment! Upon request, we can also offer co-treats with a staff speech therapist so that your child does not need to put speech services on hold while in Advance.
Innovating Intensives: What therapeutic interventions and techniques are used in Advance?
At the heart of the Advance program, a leading example among intensive therapy programs, the primary interventions are focused on muscle strengthening and building up motor plans for a variety of functional movements and transfers. Our four-hour sessions allow ample time to practice these skills in high volumes to help establish a strong foundation of muscular strength and a deep-rooted understanding of these functional movements. There is a also long list of specialized interventions utilized in the Advance program, including Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI), constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), the spider cage and Universal Exercise Unit (UEU) pulley system, vibration therapy, and the Therasuit method!
Our two locations offer tons of other incredible technology that is utilized in helping your child meet their goals, including an indoor playground, rehabilitation treadmills, Stroops resistance bands, trampolines, the Southpaw Rover (a mobile sensory experience), vibration platforms, adaptive tricycles, assistive devices, outdoor play spaces, and more!
The Advance Advantage: How does Advance differ from other intensive programs?
We know that there are many options out there for intensives for your child, but we believe that what the Advance program offers is unmatched! First and foremost, we are a play-based intensive program who will take your child’s interests and turn them into physical and occupational therapy interventions! Our unique 4-week/4-hour per day format is some of the greatest volume of therapy available to families, and the results that we see with 80 hours of therapy are truly incredible. Next, there is simply no place like the Advance Center and our Wausau clinic. With wide spaces for children to explore, rooms specifically created for sensory needs, an indoor playground, state-of-the-art technology, and more, these spaces are a dream for children, families, and therapists alike! Finally, we are well aware of the time and financial commitment that intensive therapy programs require, and the Advance program is designed to be an economical choice with discounted out-of-pocket rates and having comprehensive physical and occupational therapy evaluations and individualized home exercise programs included at no extra cost!
Next Steps: How do I get my child signed up for the Advance intensive program?
There are several routes to take to get more information and/or to get your child signed up for Advance. You can check out our website and fill out an interest form, call us at (608) 819-6394 ext 0003, visit our Instagram page (@CI_Advance) and send us a DM, or send an email to advance@citherapies.com. We are more than happy to set up a phone call or in-person consultation for you to learn more and check out our amazing spaces!
FAQ
What is the Advance Program at CI Pediatric Therapy Centers?
Advance is a one-of-kind intensive pediatric physical and occupational therapy program that assists children with a wide range of abilities achieve their full gross motor potential through large amounts of therapy across one month.
Who can benefit from Advance?
We see children between the ages of approximately 8 months to over 20 years with a wide range of skills and diagnoses, including those with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, genetic disorders, global gross motor developmental delays, hypo/hypertonia, spina bifida, hemiplegia/stroke, and post-operative conditions. Our sensory room and equipment are great for helping children with sensory needs.
What types of therapy techniques are used in Advance?
Our four-hour sessions allow ample time to practice skills in high volumes to help establish a strong foundation of muscular strength and a deep-rooted understanding of these functional movements. There is a long list of specialized interventions utilized in the Advance program, including Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI), constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), the spider cage and Universal Exercise Unit (UEU) pulley system, vibration therapy, and the Therasuit method!
How does Advance differ from other pediatric intensive therapy programs?
Advance offers a unique 4-week/4-hour per day format and is based out of the incredible Advance Center, which offers state-of-the-art equipment in a spacious environment. Our cost-effective program also includes physical and occupational therapy evaluations and individualized home exercise programs at no additional fee!
What are the expected outcomes of participating in Advance?
After completing four weeks of intensive physical and occupational therapy, you can expect your child to demonstrate significant improvements in their strength, more independence with their mobility, greater safety with exploring their environment, and increased confidence in their gross motor skills.
What is the process for enrolling a child in Advance?
You can begin the process of signing your child up for Advance by visiting our website and filling out an interest form, in which you can select your location (Madison or Wausau), preferred dates, and make any special requests. We can then set up an in-person or phone consultation to discuss any additional questions you may have about the program. Next, our billing team can look into your insurance or other payment options so that you can feel confident about confirming your child’s month in Advance.
Can children with sensory needs benefit from the Advance Program?
Children who have gross motor concerns along with sensory needs can certainly benefit from Advance! We have sensory rooms in the Advance Center that include innovative technologies to assist children with sensory needs.
What support is provided to families during the Advance?
Throughout Advance, families have full access to communication with their child’s therapy team to discuss treatment interventions and the progress that has been made. At the end of the month of Advance, families will receive instruction in how to assist their child using an individualized home exercise program. We also know that many parents need to continue working or taking care of siblings during their child’s four weeks in Advance, so our space provides ample private working and family spaces to accommodate all of your needs.