Dynamic Movement Intervention

​

​

What is DMI?

​

According to the DMI website, 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. 

 

What happens in a DIRFloortime session?

The first few sessions of DIRFloortime therapy are spent relationship building and finding shared joy. Your child’s therapist will get to know your child and find ways to join in their play. As therapy progresses over time, the therapist will use a variety of strategies to challenge your child, increase complexity, and encourage developmental growth. Sessions will always incorporate your child’s interests, as this is the best way to motivate your child and to build engagement. You are encouraged to join in the sessions. Parents and caregivers are an important part of the DIR team. Therapists will not only provide direct therapy for your child but also provide parent coaching to support your parent-child interactions.

​

Who would benefit from Dynamic Movement Intervention?

According to the DMI website, regardless of level of cognition and extent of neurological deficit or damage, affected children benefit from DMI motor intervention as it pertains to stimulating neuroplasticity in the developing brain.

 

Children diagnosed with any type of motor delay including conditions such as; Down Syndrome, Cerebral palsy, global developmental delay, hypotonia, chromosomal abnormalities/genetic disorders, spinal cord lesions or acquired brain injury may benefit from this form of therapy. Children at risk, such as those who are born prematurely can also benefit from this therapy due to the strong neuroplastic changes that this treatment stimulates within the developing brain.

​