At FPWR’s September Parent Connect, physical therapist and PWS parent Dr. Abigail Ogilbee, DPT, joined families to discuss Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) and gross motor development in children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS).
Dr. Ogilbee specializes in early intervention physical therapy and DMI. She shared an overview of the approach, how it can be incorporated into therapy, and ways families can encourage movement development at home.
What is DMI?
Dynamic Movement Intervention is a hands-on therapy approach that uses guided movement, repetition, and active participation to help children develop motor skills.
Dr. Ogilbee explained that DMI incorporates concepts such as neuroplasticity, using novel and challenging movements to help children develop and strengthen new movement patterns.
Rather than focusing only on what a child can already do, DMI often works slightly above the child's current level. For example, a child learning to roll may also practice movements that build toward pushing up, transitioning into sitting, and developing independent sitting.
The goal is to help children build the skills they need for greater independence.
When can children begin DMI?
According to Dr. Ogilbee, DMI can be used with children as young as a few weeks old and can be adapted as children grow.
For infants and toddlers, therapy may focus on foundational skills such as head control, rolling, sitting, transitions, and standing. For older children, DMI can address balance, postural alignment, motor planning, stairs, and other functional movements.
DMI can be provided through regular weekly therapy or through an intensive model, which typically involves multiple sessions per day over one to three weeks.
Making therapy a positive experience
Some children may become upset during unfamiliar or challenging movements, particularly when they are very young. Dr. Ogilbee encouraged therapists and parents to pay attention to a child's cues and make therapy as engaging and positive as possible.
Parents can also learn appropriate exercises from their child's therapist and incorporate movement practice into everyday routines, such as practicing rolling during diaper changes or creating opportunities for movement during play.
For older children, activities such as biking, hiking, dance, or gymnastics can provide opportunities to practice motor skills while participating alongside peers.
Other tools used in therapy
Dr. Ogilbee also discussed tools that may be incorporated into therapy based on a child's individual needs, including orthotics, compression garments, hip helpers, task-specific electrical stimulation (TASES), and non-invasive spinal stimulation (NISE-Stim, used for scoliosis in infants and toddlers).
She emphasized that these approaches are individualized and should be discussed with a child's qualified therapy and healthcare providers.
Finding a DMI-trained therapist
Families interested in DMI can search for certified therapists through the DMI Therapy website. DMI-trained physical and occupational therapists are available at different certification levels.
Dr. Ogilbee also recommended contacting local therapy clinics, since not every therapist with DMI training may appear in the online directory.
Because DMI involves specific handling and positioning, she encouraged families to work directly with a trained therapist rather than relying solely on online videos.
Watch the Full Presentation
Watch Dr. Ogilbee's full Parent Connect presentation to learn more about DMI, gross motor development, therapy approaches and ways families can encourage movement at home.
This presentation is for educational purposes only and does not replace individualized medical or therapeutic advice. Families should work with their child's healthcare and therapy providers to determine the most appropriate approaches for their child.
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Thank you to Dr. Abigail Ogilbee for sharing her expertise and experience with PWS families!