Advance Program
The CI Advance program is one-of-a-kind. This program is an intensive physical and occupational therapy program designed to increase functional independence. Our team of experienced therapists works collaboratively to design each program to the specific needs of each family. Consistent with all our therapeutic offerings, CI utilizes state-of-the-art equipment in a playful, child-centered setting.
Program Components
- 4 weeks, 4 hours per day, 5 days per week
- Comprehensive OT/PT/ST evaluations
- Individualized video home exercise program
- Consultative follow-up
Candidates for the Advance Program
We see children with a wide variety of conditions and diagnoses in Advance. Below, you can find a non-exhaustive list of the more common conditions. If you have a question whether or not your child can benefit from an Advance intensive, they likely can! Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.
- Cerebral Palsy
- Spina Bifida
- Stroke/Hemiplegia
- Down Syndrome
- Hypotonia/Hypertonia
- Gross Motor Incoordination
- Motor Planning Difficulties
- Gait Concerns
- Neurological Concerns
- Orthopedic Rehabilitation
Target Areas
- Functional Strengthening
- Gait Training
- Functional Ambulation
- Neuromuscular Re-education
- Adaptive Equipment Assessment
- Home Safety and Transfer Training
- Independence with Daily Activities and Self-Care
Common Techniques
Within the CI Advance Program, we use a variety of therapy tools that help maximize a child’s gains from our program. Read more about each of them here.
- Benik
- Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)
- Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI)
- Universal Exercise Unit
- Galileo Vibration Platform
- Gait Trainers
- Kinesio tape
- Partial Body Weight Supported Training (PBWST)
- Pulleys
- Spio
- Therasuit
- TheraTogs
Lodging
Advance families have stayed with Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham and Staybridge Suites when completing the Advance Program.
Families have also used online services such as AirBnB for lodging needs in the Fitchburg/Madison area.
Travel
MSN- Dane County Regional Airport is conveniently located on the north side of Madison.
MKE- General Mitchell Airport is located in Milwaukee and is ~90 miles away from CI Pediatric Therapy Centers.
Funding
CI’s Insurance Team works with various local and national insurance carriers. We are happy to look into your individual plan and see how the program will be covered. CI also has an affordable out-of-pocket discount for the program.
Program scholarships are available for Anna’s CI Summer Camp Scholarship Fund. This scholarship fund was created in 2019 in memory of Anna Mischnick, a hard-working and fun-loving 11-year-old girl. Anna had been diagnosed with and treated for medulloblastoma, a form of pediatric brain cancer, in 2014 when she was just 6 years old.
Our Families Truly Say It Best!
Advance Program Therapy Tools
Benik
Benik provides upper trunk support and deep pressure proprioceptive input. Deep pressure is often used to assist the child to self-calm and relax so that sensory stimulus can be processed, while also providing feedback to joints and the central nervous system.
Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)
Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is an intervention that can be used to increase use in a weaker extremity. Within the pediatric population you will utilize a type of restraint, which is typically a cast, on the strong extremity.
Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI)
Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) is a therapeutic technique used by therapists to treat children with gross motor impairments by improving and/or provoking a desired action with great emphasis on alignment, sensory integration, and function.
Galileo Vibration Platform
Galileo Vibration Platform: The Galileo Vibration Plate utilizes whole body vibration (WBV) to achieve a variety of musculoskeletal benefits. As the plate vibrates at frequencies ranging from 5-30 Hz, energy is passed on to the child’s muscles resulting in a very high number of contraction-relaxation cycles every second.
Gait Trainers
Gait trainers are a type of assistive device similar to walkers. They allow children to work on walking and exploring their environment without being dependent on someone else. Most gait trainers can be modified to provide more or less support and can be beneficial for children with varying levels of ability.
Kinesio Tape
Kinesio tape can be used to help improve muscle function, sensory awareness, increase range of motion, decrease muscle fatigue, improve postural alignment/ balance and re-educate muscles.The tape is applied to the skin in a specific pattern and tightness that helps to target goal areas.
Partial Body Weight Supported Training (PBWST)
Partial Body Weight Supported Training (PBWST) is an intervention used by therapists to improve strength, endurance and motor planning for gait.
Pulleys
Pulleys and their exercises can help your child develop strength to encourage dissociated movements, increase one’s range of motion, normalize muscle tone, and prevent muscle contractures.
Spio
Spio are orthotic compression garments that children wear during the day to provide deep pressure proprioception into your child’s body through the compressive force of the fabric.
TheraSuit
TheraSuit facilitates rehabilitation of children with neurological disorders which result in decreased range of motion, muscle weakness, difficulties with movement against gravity, maintaining posture and other motor activities impairments.
TheraTogs
TheraTogs are an orthotic undergarment and strapping product that give individuals with sensorimotor impairment a highly effective carryover modality for improving postural alignment and stability, movement skill and precision, and joint stability.
Universal Exercise Unit
A Universal Exercise Unit is utilized to help a child perform specific movements as their body is suspended by use of elastic bungees. This allows the kid to become partial weight bearing, therefore making it easier for them to create and build upon movement patterns.
