Challenge Detroit was founded in 2008, with a mission that reads; “We develop, support and connect emerging and existing community-minded leaders, amplifying the positive impact on our diverse, cultural vibrant city.” Challenge Detroit is making a difference.

MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy is proud to be a host company with Challenge Detroit.

MetroEHS is excited to introduce Dezha Willoughby, one of two Challenge Detroit Fellows MetroEHS proudly hosts! Dezha was born and raised in Detroit and places like Belle Isle were the norm on the weekends (when the weather was nice). She attended and graduate from MLK High School (#GoCrusaders) and she went on to attend college at Michigan State University where she honed in her skills to work with and serve people. Dezha studied Human Development and graduated with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies. Dezha enjoys being outside and enjoying nature. Dezha is very determined and ambitious about being an agent of positive change.

According to the company, “Challenge Detroit cultivates diverse, innovative, community-minded leaders from the city and across the country, fostering their talents to support local initiatives that move Detroit forward. While they spend four days a week accelerating their professional careers with our Host Companies, each Friday Fellows take a day out of the office to bring social impact challenge projects to life in collaboration with our local nonprofit partners. They work in multi-disciplinary teams, bringing their vision, creative muscles, and entrepreneurial spirits to address some of Detroit’s greatest challenges and opportunities. We believe that to move our city forward, positive change starts with an individual and is ignited by a community of leaders who bring innovative perspectives to their work, and most importantly, the nonprofits already making an impact within our Detroit communities.”

Pediatric Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) therapy is a specialized treatment aimed at improving the gross motor skills, movement control, and overall functional mobility of children with developmental delays.  DMI therapy is designed to promote and enhance the natural ability of children to develop motor skills through structured, targeted interventions.

What is Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI)?

Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) is a cutting-edge therapeutic approach focusing on improving strength, coordination, balance, and motor planning in children with developmental delays. DMI therapy is based on neuroplasticity principles—the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. This means that with consistent and well-targeted interventions, children with motor impairments could make significant gains in motor function.

Without disruption or intervention, unhealthy habits (the types of learned patterns of movement a child relies on rather than reflexive movements) become engrained in the child’s behavior repertoire. Neuroplasticity is defined as the ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning, experience, or following an injury. Neuroplasticity is at its height in young children. Without novelty and challenge, well-established habits always dominate. Due to this natural neuroplasticity, it is often better to start children young with any kind of therapeutic care.

The primary theory behind DMI is the use of the body's automatic postural responses.  In DMI therapy, we place the child in a position where gravity provides information requiring a response. We then wait for the child to complete the movement, with gradually less assistance over time.

Who Needs DMI Therapy?

DMI is beneficial for children with and without a specific diagnosis. However, those with specific diagnoses include, but are not limited to:

Cerebral Palsy: Children with cerebral palsy often struggle with motor control, muscle tone, and balance, all of which can be targeted by DMI therapy.

Developmental Delays: Children experiencing delays in reaching motor milestones (such as crawling, walking, or standing) may benefit from DMI’s movement-based approach.

Genetic Disorders: Certain genetic conditions that affect motor development, such as Down syndrome or muscular dystrophy, may be candidates for DMI.

Spina Bifida: This congenital condition affecting the spinal cord can cause motor deficits, and DMI can be useful in strengthening movement capabilities.

Brain Injuries: Traumatic or acquired brain injuries in children that result in impaired motor functions can be addressed through DMI therapy.

Other symptoms of a child who could benefit from DMI include:

• Difficulty with postural control (e.g., sitting, standing, or balancing)
• Delayed or atypical motor development (not crawling or walking at the expected age)
• Limited muscle tone or spasticity
• Challenges in coordination and movement precision
• Fatigue or weakness during movement activities

This is not an exhaustive list. There are many other conditions that may benefit from Dynamic Movement Intervention. DMI therapy is typically recommended for children who have developmental motor disorders or neuromuscular challenges that affect their ability to move, balance, or coordinate their body movements.

Identifying the Need for DMI

The need for DMI therapy is typically identified by healthcare professionals such as neurologists, rehabilitation specialists or physical therapists, often after a comprehensive evaluation of the child’s motor function. Parents may also notice signs that their child is not reaching developmental motor milestones and seek medical advice.

Any physical therapy diagnosis can result in the use of DMI, and this is often very useful for children under 1 to help with head control, children under 2 to help with standing, walking, and posture control, and children 5 and under with more involved diagnoses. Early identification and intervention are extremely beneficial in maximizing the effectiveness of DMI therapy and improving the child’s functional outcomes.

A Mother and Daughter's Journey

Kris Krajewski: Hi, I am Kris Krajewski. I am the director of PT, OT and Speech Therapy Services at MetroEHS. I am a clinical fellow mentor, a speech language pathologist, and a mom. And this is my daughter McKenna. McKenna is a therapy assistant at our Rochester Hills location.

Mckenna Krajewski: So as therapy assistant, they clean, do desk work and sanitize, take temperatures, taking care of clients, make sure they're safe and healthy, help them with their work and special needs. It makes me feel amazing and happy to be there for them. I am very, very proud.

Kris Krajewski: I got teary listening to McKenna talk about it because what, what is most important to me for children or anybody of any age, but in particular my child, is that they are happy. A large part of that happiness comes from feeling connected and having a purpose, um, and knowing that you have somewhere to go where you're valued and you're important. And so I see that happening at Metro with McKenna, with her job as a professional. I'm really proud of MetroEHS for thinking about people at, you know, both ends of that age spectrum, right? We have our little littles coming in at a very young age, and we are still interested in what happens to our kiddos when they get out into the world of work. Um, and to me that's a really important message.

A Family's Journey with a Special Need Diagnosis is a beautiful journey! Listen from some more of our MetroEHS Family's stories > HERE