DMI Intensives:
Dymnamic Movement Intervention
What is DMI?
Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) is a therapeutic technique used by occupational and physical therapists to treat children with motor delays by improving automatic postural responses and promoting progress toward developmental milestones. DMI focuses on gradual progression, alignment, postural control, somatosensory development, and modifying abnormal patterns of movement to help motor skills progress.
Who can benefit from DMI?
Children with any type of motor delay or impairment have the potential to benefit from DMI including those with neuromuscular diagnoses, cerebral palsy, prematurity, Down Syndrome, hypotonia, chromosomal abnormalities, acquired brain injury, or global developmental delay.
DMI Intensive Duration
Therapy sessions take place twice daily for 45 minutes each session, with a 30 minute break between sessions.
We offer mini-intensives in which a child receives 2 sessions a day as described above, for 4 days in a row, typically Friday afternoon, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning.
We also offer a 1-week intensive option in which a child receives 2-45 min sessions a day for 5 days a week, Monday through Friday.
FAQs about DMI Intensives:
Do I have to live locally to participate?
*Nope! We frequently treat families from Seattle, Vancouver, BC, Portland, and beyond, who travel to Bellingham for the week of their intensive.
Can you bill my insurance for a DMI therapy intensive?
*Yes! BPT can bill your child’s in-network insurance company directly, including Molina, for the intensive therapy sessions. All insurance plans are different, however, and it’s best to check directly with your insurance company about therapy coverage.
Is my child too young for DMI?
*The younger we can treat your child the sooner we can help them use correct motor patterns and avoid forming bad movement habits! Ideally DMI therapy would begin as young as 3 months old.
What if my child doesn’t tolerate therapy well?
*That’s ok. We will work to ensure your child tolerates therapy well but it’s also helpful to keep in mind that all feelings are ok at BPT. We are asking children to do hard things in therapy and that sometimes comes with big feelings.
Where do I stay during my intensive?
*Bellingham has many hotel options in a range of price brackets, including the Heliotrope Hotel and Bellwether Hotel which are both less than 5 minutes from the clinic. There are many AirBnB options nearby as well.
Is it safe for my child with seizures, low vision, or a G-tube to participate in DMI?
*Yes. Seizures, G-tubes, tracheostomies, and low vision are not contraindications to participation, but we will want to know about each of these so we can take proper precautions to ensure your child’s safety during therapy.
