Occupational Therapy:

I am currently offering in-home occupational therapy services in the Chicago-land area with a primary focus on the use of Dynamic Movement Intervention and Reflex Integration techniques. All treatment plans will be created on an individual basis to incorporate child and family goal areas, current level of function, and clinical observations.

Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI):

DMI is a therapeutic technique used by trained physical and occupational therapists 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 specific active motor response from the child in response to a defined dynamic exercise prescribed by the treating therapist. DMI stimulates neuroplasticity to facilitate new neuronal connections and development of motor milestones. DMI targets 9 tenets during practice:

-gross motor skills

-gradual progression

-alignment and postural control

-range of motion

-balance

-functional movements

-somatosensory development

-modifying tone, primitive reflexes, and abnormal patterns of movement

-global development

*information sourced from DMItherapy.com

Reflex Integration:

Primitive reflexes or primary motor patterns can be defined as involuntary movement patterns that are designed for newborn survival and help with development throughout infancy and early childhood. These primary motor patterns occur naturally and in a specific pattern in order to build upon each other in order to form the foundation for future development. When there is a disruption in integration, development may be hindered and challenges may arise related to specific areas of higher-level skills. A study from 2016 found that “Retained primitive reflexes can disturb natural development and involve difficulties in social, educational, and psychomotor development.” Although there is not definitive information to determine why primitive reflexes may be retained, however, here is a non-comprehensive list of potential factors that correlate to reflex retention:

-trauma during pregnancy

-trauma during and/or after birth

-stroke in utero

-premature birth

-prolonged jaundice

-developmental motor delays

-minimal floor time as an infant

*information sourced from MasgutovaMethod.com and Harkla.co