Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI)
DMI at CI is committed to getting to know you and your child and individualizing exercises and treatment plans to fit the needs and goals of your family. Our dedicated team members, all trained in DMI are excited to help your child reach their highest level of potential by challenging their neurological system to create new neuronal pathways that lead to greater functional independence. While DMI intensives can be challenging, our therapists always have fun at the forefront of their minds and they are sure to incorporate your child’s interests.
What Is DMI?
Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) is a therapeutic technique used in physical and occupational therapy to treat children with motor delays by improving automatic postural responses and promoting progress towards developmental milestones. The goal of DMI is to provoke a specific active motor response from the child in response to a defined dynamic exercise prescribed by the therapist. DMI stimulates neuroplasticity to facilitate new neuronal connections and development of motor milestones. DMI is a comprehensive intervention that incorporates current research on neuro rehabilitation, technologies and methodologies. (Information sourced from the DMI website at dmitherapy.com)
Benefits of DMI?
- Gross motor skills
- Alignment
- Postural control
- Balance
- Range of motion
- Functional movement
- Somatosensory development
- Modifying tone/reflexes
Program Components:
- Comprehensive evaluation to assess the needs of each unique child and set functional and family centered goals
- 1 or 2-week intensive options
- DMI can be combined with other therapy techniques and equipment already utilized at CI, such as the Therasuit® and Universal Exercise Unit.
- Individualized video home exercise program
- Ongoing weekly DMI sessions as needed/desired to progress exercise and continue working towards functional independence
Who Benefits from DMI?
DMI can be beneficial for children regardless of level of cognition or extent of neurological deficit. It can be especially helpful for children who have the following conditions:
- Cerebral palsy
- Spina bifida
- Down syndrome
- Hypotonia/Hypertonia
- Gross motor incoordination
- Motor planning difficulties
- Gait concerns
- Neurological concerns
- Chromosomal abnormalities/Genetic disorders
- Spinal cord lesions
- Acquired brain injury
Our Families Truly Say It Best!
“Since receiving our daughter’s prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 21, we knew we wanted to be
proactive with mobility by utilizing various therapists. By 9 months old, she had plateaued with
her strength and mobility, despite our best efforts with traditional PT and OT. We discovered
the DMI program and from week one of DMI therapy, we have observed significant gains in our
daughter’s strength, mobility, and coordination. DMI has taught us amazing new techniques
that have had an enormous impact on our daughter’s ability to access her environment, and
keep up with her older siblings. We are so thankful to have had the opportunity to work
with our DMI therapist and continue to watch our daughter’s progress.”