Intensives

P-CIMT

Serial Casting

 

 

INTENSIVES:

What are Intensives?
Short Term, High Frequency, Big Results!
Research shows that many children benefit from receiving therapy services at a higher frequency over a shorter period of time when focusing on specific goals. 

How Does it Work?
Children who participate in intensive therapy attend each day for anywhere between a week to 3 weeks in order to solidify skills needed for participation in everyday life. Intensives may be a great way to begin your child’s therapy experience or to help your child achieve a goal he or she is close to meeting. It may also simply be a better fit for you and your family’s lifestyle through what we describe as “burst” therapy.

What are the goals of Intensives? 

• Address specific and measurable goals that are likely to be attained through consistency and daily intervention 
•  Jump-start rapport building/relationships for child/therapist for children who are slow to warm to new environments 
•  Incorporate parents into sessions to increase understanding of techniques and interventions used to improve carryover in the child’s natural environment 

​Who may benefit from Intensives?

• A child who may learn better through consistency & daily intervention 
• Families who may have work schedules that accommodate daily intervention for weeks at a time 
• Families who travel from out of town 
• Families who would like to participate in a special program or would benefit from a “booster” or “jumpstart” prior to starting school or hitting a developmental milestone 

 

 

P-CIMT: 
​PEDIATRIC CONSTRAINT INDUCED MOVEMENT THERAPY 

What is PCIMT?
Pediatric Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT), is an innovative, scientifically supported method of upper extremity rehabilitation for children with neuromotor impairments. PCIMT is emerging as a best practice in the treatment of children with hemiplegia or brachial plexus injury. PCIMT involves constraint of the non-affected arm in combination with intensive therapy. 

How Does it Work? 
 The PCIMT program at PTA consists of three weeks of intensive occupational therapy services - four days per week, three hours per day.  The child's non-affected arm is placed in a removable cast.  The therapist will then engage the child in three hours of play, fine motor and self-care activities using their affected arm.  This will be followed up by three hours of wearing the cast at home to encourage more use of the affected arm.    

What are the goals of PCIMT?

• To increase the spontaneous movement of the child’s affected arm 
• To improve quality of movement of the affected arm 
• To increase overall functional use of the affected arm 
• To increase bilateral skills, the use of both arms together 

 
Who may benefit from PCIMT? 

• Children with hemiplegia who have some movement of the affected arm 
• Children who have had a brachial plexus injury such as Erb’s Palsy 
• Children who are able to follow directions and work in intensive therapy 
• Children whose parents/caregivers are able to dedicate time to the program 

 

 

Serial Casting

What is Serial Casting? 
Serial Casting is a process in which joints are immobilized in well-padded plaster casts in order to improve range of motion and alignment. By wearing cast(s), children are able to walk with improved alignment, allowing the muscles and soft tissue to stretch and elongate to a more functional position.   
 
How does it work? 
Casts are applied at the clinic and removed in succession (usually every week) over a specific period of time. During the procedure, the affected joint(s) are gradually and repeatedly set in improved alignment resulting in an increase in range of motion. Children wear the casts full time in order to allow for prolonged hold in an optimal position. Once casting is complete, children will be assessed for appropriate orthotics to maintain alignment and range of motion.   
​
 What are the goals? 

• To increase range of motion through the ankle(s) and feet 
• To improve gait pattern 
• To improve alignment and muscle function 

Who would benefit? 

• Children who toe walk 
• Children who have a contracture in their ankle(s) 
• Children who will tolerate prolonged cast wear 
• Children who will tolerate cast application 
• Children whose parents who are able to dedicate time to the program 

What Our Clients & Patients Are Saying

"We are so grateful to have been guided to PTA by trusted providers and are enjoying great progress due to the thoughtful care and efforts of their incredible team..."

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