What Is DMI?

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 specific active motor response from the child in response to a defined dynamic exercise prescribed by the therapist. DMI stimulates neuroplasticity to facilitate new neuronal connections and development of motor milestones. DMI is a comprehensive intervention that incorporates current research on neuro rehabilitation, technologies and methodologies. (Information sourced from the DMI website at dmitherapy.com)

Therapy Designed Specifically For Your Unique Child To Help Them Reach Their Highest Potential.

With On The Fly, your child will receive a minimum of two hours of DMI therapy per day. (Additional services might be available) The therapist will assess your child and take a comprehensive look at their ability’s, medical history, and contributing factors causing delays in gross motor and fine motor skills. The therapist will work with the child and family to develop a unique plan of care in order to reach the family’s specific goals. The therapist will then choose exercises to address the goals and to challenge the child’s neurological system to the highest skill level.

We know therapy can be very challenging, so we always take our time to build a relationship with your child and find out their interests, we then utilize their interests for motivation during the session. Whether it be music or their favorite toy, if it’s motivating, we are happy to incorporate it. 

DMI Focuses On:

 

  • Gross Motor Skills

  • Alignment 

  • Postural Control

  • Balance 

  • Range of Motion 

  • Functional Movements 

  • Somatosensory Development

  • Modifying Tone and Reflexes 

  • Global Development 

Who Can Benefit From DMI?

 

DMI can benefit children with any type of motor delay or neurological deficit. It can benefit children of all ages and can start as early as 1-2 months of age. Regardless of level of cognition and extent of neurological deficit or damage, affected children benefit from DMI as it pertains to stimulating neuroplasticity in the developing brain.

DMI is very physically demanding for the patient and for the therapist, therefoe a weight limit is enforced to protect the child and the therapist from injury. Weight limits vary based on the therapist. My weight limit is 45 lbs for a child that requires assistance to stand. For children that are able to walk with minimal assistance, the weight limit is NOT a factor.

What Is An ON THE FLY-DMI Intensive?

Intensive therapy is a block of therapy with frequent and demanding sessions that can range from 1-3 weeks long at a minimum of 2 hrs per day. Intensives have great results and outcomes because we are bombarding the brain with positive gross motor information, improving pathways and creating new neuronal connections. Here at On The Fly, intensives can range from 1-2 weeks long, 5 days per week, with the child receiving DMI 2x per day. Sessions are 45-50 minutes long. DMI differs from traditional therapy because we will challenge the child’s neurological system to the highest skill level. We will be using exercises to develop the core, postural control, balance, and strength to build upon foundational milestones. DMI is a very active therapy. We will not be moving your child with passive movements or patterning. We will be provoking desired movement patterns, waiting for an acting response. We will be progressing towards distal support (holding as low on their body as possible) allowing them to control everything from above our hands. DMI exercises involve movement against gravity in different planes (upside down, horizontal, etc) which allow the child to experience a variety of movements to create new neuro pathways for improved motor development.

During intensive sessions, Jennell utilizes a variety of therapy techniques and tools in conjunction with DMI, including NMES (neuromuscular electrical stimulation) and whole-body vibration. She also incorporates neurodevelopmental techniques, sensory integration, feeding therapy (oral motor and sensory) and functional development for self-care skills.

With repetition and consistency over the course of the 1-2 week intensive, children will make progress towards their goals, gain confidence and will often make more progress in one intensive than in an entire year of traditional therapy. 

A Very Important Part Of The Intensive Program Is The Home Exercise Program. 

 

In order for your child to maintain the skills learned during the intensive and continue progressing towards new skills,  it is very important to follow the home exercise program. Your therapist will create a home exercise program specific to your child, that the parent, caregiver or weekly therapists can execute. Your therapist will ensure that you feel comfortable with the exercises before the last day of the intensive.

Meet Jennell

Hi my name is Jennell and I’m so excited you have found my page. I am the founder of On The Fly. I have always had a strong passion for helping people and I absolutely love working with children and their families, assisting them in achieving important motor milestones, gain independence and reach their highest potential. After working in a clinic setting for many years, and hearing the stuggles that many families face when traveling for intensive therapy, I decided it was time to bring quality therapy to right to you.

  • Jennell Mundorf MS OTR/L

    DMI Intermediate B certified/DMI instructor

    PAMS Certified including NMES

 

I attended the University of Wyoming where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in professional child development. After graduation I moved to Los Angeles and attended the University of Southern California where I earned my Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy with an emphasis in pediatrics. Following graduation, I worked in early intervention and then I transitioned to outpatient rehab when I found the world-renowned NAPA Center! I worked at NAPA for about 9 years at the Los Angeles and Sydney Australia clinics!

Over the years, I have taken many courses to further enhance my practice. I have advanced training and certifications in Physical Agent Modalities (PAMS) including neuromuscular electrical stimulation, CME level II, Practical Treatment of Torticollis, ABCs of Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing in Premature Infants, Sensory Integration Certification, ILs (Integrative Listening Systems) and Gate Analysis and Training. I love continuing to learn new treatment approaches, therapy techniques and current modalities to get the best outcomes for my patients and be a great resource for the patients families.

I have worked in pediatrics for over 13 years and have 10 years experience with intensive therapy.  I was originally trained in CME/MEDEK in 2016-17. I saw such amazing outcomes with CME/MEDEK and the intensive model of therapy, however; when DMI was created, I decided to make the switch in order to incorporate other modalities into my sessions and to have access to continued. training and mentorship. I have completed my DMI course and am now an intermediate level B, DMI instructor. 2023 will not only be busy with traveling intensives, but also with DMI courses both online and in person.

Meet Kathleen

Kathleen is a South Carolina native and attended the University of South Carolina where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science with leadership distinction in global learning. While in school, she was active in the community volunteering with adaptive gymnastics as well as adaptive yoga. Kathleen received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. While in PT school, she also served as a trainee in the SC Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (SC LEND) program. She is currently based out of Charleston, SC where she has been practicing pediatric physical therapy in a variety of settings including in clinic, in home, school, daycare and in the community. Kathleen has completed coursework in pelvic floor training and is certified in Pelvic Floor Level 1 through Herman and Wallace. She has also completed coursework in pediatric incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction through Herman and Wallace. Kathleen has experience and has completed coursework in Contemporary Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) of the Baby and Young Child. Kathleen is so thankful for DMI and has watched countless patients achieve goals and mobility by incorporating DMI into her practice. She is DMI level C certified and has been fortunate enough to take levels A, B, and C in person and has received instruction from both founders of DMI. She has had ongoing mentorship with Jennell Mundorf OTR/L and is excited to continue developing her skills under Jennell’s leadership. Kathleen is always looking for opportunities to learn and grow to provide the best care for her patients and is excited to take Judy Carmick’s Task Specific Electrical Stimulation (TASES) course next year. Kathleen enjoys giving back to the community and is currently a volunteer wish granter for the SC Make -A- Wish Foundation. Outside of work, you can find her out and about with her Miniature Dachshund, Teddy. Kathleen is so excited to join On the Fly DMI and can’t wait to meet all of you!

 

  • Kathleen Schaefer DPT

    DMI level C Certified

    Pelvic Floor Level 1

Chat with us

Have questions about our practice or DMI Therapy? Contact us and See if On The Fly and DMI Therapy is the right fit for you and your child.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

  • No not at this time. It is private pay. I will provide you with a receipt of payment and is some cases will be able to provide a superbill.

  • No. I am willing to travel anywhere.

  • I need to have a minimum of 6 hrs booked and a maximum of 8. This might be 3 or 4 kids depending on how many sessions each kid will be doing.

  • Yes, I am happy to jump on a Telehealth session and guide you through some exercises.

  • All DMI mentorship needs to be booked through the DMI website, however I am able to offer mentoring for handling skills, treatment ideas, etc.

  • Someone needs to be present during the session. The last 2 days are very crucial for parent participation to learn the home exercise program .