Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) is a hands-on active motor-based intervention style used by physical and occupational therapists. It is used to treat children with gross motor impairments and is commonly used for children with diagnoses of Down Syndrome, Cerebral palsy, global developmental delay, hypotonia, chromosomal abnormalities/genetic disorders, spinal cord lesions or acquired brain injury. In order to provide DMI-based intervention, practitioners must complete continuing education courses focused on handling and facilitation. DMI targets the acquisition of automatic postural resp ..read more

Nasal breathing is essential for maintaining optimal respiratory function, supporting overall health, and preventing potential issues associated with mouth breathing. It contributes to efficient oxygen exchange, provides filtration and humidification, and promotes a range of physiological benefits. Why is Nasal Breathing Important? Filtration and Humidification: The nasal passages act as a natural filter, trapping particles, dust, and pathogens from the air before it reaches the lungs. Additionally, nasal breathing helps humidify the air, ensuring that it is moistened before entering th ..read more

What is an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder? An orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD) is a condition that involves abnormal functioning of the muscles and structures in the mouth and face. This disorder affects functions such as breathing, chewing, swallowing, and speaking. Common aspects of OMDs include: Tongue Thrust: When the tongue pushes against or between the teeth during swallowing, speaking, or at rest, which can affect dental alignment and cause issues like an open bite. Mouth Breathing: Breathing predominantly through the mouth instead of the nose, which can impact facial developm ..read more

Everyone has distinctive sensory systems that receive and react to our environment in unique ways. Whether your child is constantly in motion, enjoys getting messy, avoids it altogether, requires additional support for calmness and focus, or a combination of these, refer to the gift guide provided to select a present tailored to their sensory needs and goals! If you’re uncertain about the most suitable toys for your child or would like guidance on facilitating your child’s play with these items, feel free to consult with your child’s therapist. The toys are categorized below by sensory syst ..read more

Hi, I’m Dr. Anne Wolfe, I’m pediatric physical therapist and the Clinical Manager at Emerge Pediatric Therapy in Carrboro! Whether you are a parent considering if your child might need PT, or you are a physician who wants to know what signs to look for, here are my top 5 unexpected indicators that a child might need a PT referral. 1. Skipping Crawling Crawling is important! Although it was recently removed from the CDC’s list of developmental milestones for infants, it remains an important skill for many reasons. For children that don’t crawl, there is often an underlying cause. We also ..read more

According to Feeding America, there are 1.2 million people in North Carolina that face food insecurity, 353,450 of which are children. This means 1 in 6 children are facing food insecurity. At Emerge, we have 6 core values that define our role in our community, the sixth of which being advocacy. With knowledge of the food insecurity in the communities we serve, we feel compelled to take action. Our first course of action will be to lead a food drive at all three of our locations (Durham, Cary, and Carrboro). The food drive will be held from November 6th through December 22nd. During thi ..read more

1. Model Asking for Permission ex: “Can I give you a hug or a high-five?” 2. Model Self-Talk ex: “I listen better when my body is moving, so I’m going to get a wiggle cushion.” “I feel upset when you won’t play my game idea, let’s choose a compromise.” 3. Provide Options ex: “It looks like your body is moving fast! Would you like to go get some water or do some hand squeezes to help slow it down?” 3. Provide Visuals & Teach Scripts Click here to see an example of scripts that neurodivergent_lou commonly uses!   Blog by Laura Strenk, MS, CCC-SLP The post 4 Ways to Work on ..read more

Hi! My name is Vika Flanagan-Grimsrud and I’m part of the Therapist Support staff at Emerge Pediatric Therapy in Carrboro. Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome, aka Tourette’s, is a neurodevelopmental disorder onset in childhood and generally amping up through the course of puberty, in which a person experiences a combination of both motor and vocal tics. When I was diagnosed at 19 I was shocked at just how little I – and the people around me – actually knew about the disorder. I found that most people had at least heard of Tourette’s, but their exposure to it was almost exclusively from TV ..read more

In June 2023, we became a certified living wage employer by Orange County Living Wage! OCLW is a volunteer-driven, nonprofit that certifies, recognizes, and promotes local businesses that pay their employees a living wage and assists workers seeking living wage jobs in the community. OCLW partners with employers, residents, and workers in the community to create a more just and sustainable local economy! What does it mean to be living wage certified? A “living wage” is the minimum amount that workers must earn to afford basic necessities without public or private assistance. Living wages ..read more

This blog post is written by Lindsey Bendat, an Emerge parent who is starting her own sensory-friendly clothing business! You can help her with product development and testing by filling out the survey using the buttons below. The first 20 people to complete the survey will receive a $5 Amazon gift card and every submission is entered into a $75 drawing!   My Story As a parent of an autistic child, I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges that sensory sensitivities can present. My daughter’s journey with autism includes both auditory and tactile sensitivities, which have made everyda ..read more