Our Services

We focus on implementing intensive occupational therapy using dynamic movement intervention (DMI). Our intensive therapy program ranges from 1.5-3 hours of therapy a day. This time can be split into multiple sessions to allow for rest and recovery if needed. Depending on availability and travel time, intensives may be completed in home or in treatment office.

Following a comprehensive evaluation, the therapist will create an individualized treatment plan that targets developmental milestones for your child. Our intensives range from 1-3 weeks and often reflects up to 6 months of progress seen in the traditional therapy setting. This is due to significant repetitions of each exercise so the brain can create new neural pathways.

Meet Kenzie

Hello Everyone! My name is Kenzie and I am an Occupational Therapist specializing in Dynamic Movement Intervention (Currently one of three in the state of Michigan). I am aspiring to fill a much needed gap of intensive therapy services for children in West Michigan. I have completed level A, B, and C course training in person with the founders of DMI and I am also certified in TASES (task specific electrical stimulation). I have a passion for helping children unlock their potential and to increase both their skills and confidence to achieve new milestones. I am so excited to be a part of your child’s intensive therapy journey!

What is Dynamic Movement Intervention?

"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 help each child progress towards developmental milestones (Ie. rolling, sitting, four-point, crawling, standing, walking and transitions). 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 means that the therapist will present an exercise in order to provoke a specific movement or response from your child.)

This comprehensive intervention reflects current research on neurorehabilitation, technologies and methodologies. DMI stimulates neuroplasticity to help your child’s brain make new and improved connections and develop their motor milestones" (sourced from www.dmitherapy.com, 2022).

Check Out the DMI Website here!

FAQ’s

Does the Parent need to be present during the session?

We do require a parent or caregiver to be present during the session, unless otherwise determined by the therapist. The last 2 days are very crucial for parent participation in order to learn the home exercise program.

What if my child is over 45 lbs?

If your child is at or over 45 lbs, a video consult will be required prior to booking to ensure they are appropriate for this intervention. If a child is 45 lbs but standing independently, then weight won’t matter as much. If your child is 45 lbs but needs full support, their might be better options for your child. Your therapist will be able to guide you in the right direction during the zoom call.

Does my child wear AFO’s during DMI therapy?

*Please bring your AFO’s and any other orthotics to the first session, for some children they are required to develop alignment, for others it may be more appropriate to have full joint mobility so the body can learn proper alignment without the orthotic depending on where the child is developmentally*

Orthotics are a tool that can provide alignment to a child’s feet. However, the body has natural tools too. These are known as proprioceptors. They work through movement and tell the spinal cord and brain where our body is in space. The brain responds to the information by adjusting positions at each joint to teach the child to balance. When a joint’s motion is limited, as is the case with orthotics, the proprioceptors cannot fully work. Therefore, an orthotic provides alignment, but takes away the body’s way of learning balance.