Dynamic Movement Intervention
Specialist therapy to support gross motor development, postural control, balance and functional movement.
Dynamic Movement Intervention, known as DMI, is a therapeutic technique used by physiotherapists and occupational therapists to support children with motor delay and gross motor difficulties.
DMI aims to improve automatic postural responses and help children progress towards developmental milestones through carefully selected dynamic exercises. These exercises are chosen to challenge the child’s neurological system, encourage active movement, and support skills such as rolling, sitting, standing, walking, balance and postural control.
At Children’s Physio Dorset, DMI is always tailored to the individual child and used as part of a wider physiotherapy programme. Sessions are adapted to each child’s age, diagnosis, abilities, goals and tolerance.
Who can benefit from DMI?
DMI may be helpful for children with a wide range of motor delays and neurological or developmental conditions, including:
- Developmental delay
- Cerebral palsy
- Down syndrome
- Hypotonia / low muscle tone
- Genetic or chromosomal conditions
- Acquired brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Prematurity
- Children who are delayed in rolling, sitting, crawling, standing or walking
What happens during a DMI session?
Following assessment, exercises are selected to target your child’s areas of difficulty. DMI exercises often involve movement against gravity, balance challenges, postural control work and carefully graded support from the therapist.
The aim is to encourage your child to actively respond, problem-solve and develop more automatic movement patterns. Sessions are usually active, engaging and play-based, while still being highly structured and goal-focused.
DMI at Children’s Physio Dorset
Maggie Dawson has been incorporating DMI into her clinical practice for over 4 years and has completed advanced DMI training, including DMI Intermediate A.
Maggie is the first physiotherapist in England to complete DMI Intermediate A training and is currently the only physiotherapist in England and Wales outside of NAPA Centre to have completed this level of DMI training.
DMI may be used within regular physiotherapy sessions or as part of bespoke intensive therapy programmes.
Intensive Therapy Programmes
Some children benefit from more frequent therapy over a short period of time. At Children’s Physio Dorset, DMI can be included within tailor-made intensive therapy blocks, depending on your child’s goals, stamina and clinical needs.
Intensives are planned individually and may also include other therapy approaches such as strengthening, balance work, gait training, electrical stimulation, spinal stimulation, NeuroSuit therapy, hydrotherapy or home exercise programmes where appropriate.
Is DMI right for my child?
DMI is not a one-size-fits-all therapy. Following assessment, we will discuss whether DMI is appropriate for your child and how it could fit within their wider physiotherapy plan.
If you would like to find out more, please contact us to discuss your child’s needs.
