What is the Tots System
The Objectives:
The first goal is achievement of postural symmetry as a foundation for optimal motor control & pulmonary function. Rather than first working on a skill, Tots identifies what limitation in range or posture is blocking the child’s ability to develop the skill, Tots & Teens has been called the prep work for all you do as a therapist
Later the same systematic assessment of asymmetries may be applied to organize a concise care plan to develop motor control using evidence based principles of neuroplasticity. TMR Tots focuses on:
1. Range of Motion
Achieved by gentle movement into positions of ease & comfort to promote healing and lengthening of short/tight structures.
2. Alignment & Postural Control
All exercised focus on improvement of alignment and stimulation of vertical postural control matching the building blocks of typical development.
3. Supplementing Missing Sensory Development
Unless a child can feel a body part, they cannot learn to use it. Previous lack of range of motion creates areas of sensory deprivation. TMR Tots identifies the precise areas that have missed out on experiences of vision and touch needed as a foundation to develop motor control.
4. The Discovery Zone
Targeted application of traditional therapy facilitation (precisely focused movement in newly accessed ranges uncovering hidden potential for control.
5. Management of Tone and Abnormal Patterns of Movement
Imbalances in a postural foundation can create stresses which can reinforce undesired patterns and posturing. Creating a solid postural foundation minimizes these stresses and can assist in the integration of disruptive reflex patterns.
6. Step By Step - Global Development
TMR Tots follows the sequence of typical development with the philosophy that children with challenges are no different than typically developing. Both learn by building on what they know, expanding their skills building block by building block. TMR Tots assessment identifies what activities a child enjoys and can successfully do now. The treatment expands these activities with fun challenges (therapeutic play) to send positive messages to the brain and map patterns of balance, control and movement.
7. Accelerated Progression - Success Without Struggle
Targeted activities are focused on newly accessed postural alignment and mobility. These precise areas of emerging abilities are customized to the individual within ranges of control. Structuring play with support minimizes the error in trial and error to learn while minimizing frustration and the development of inefficient compensatory movement.
8. The Patient Profile - What Is Awesome About You and Your Child?
The TMR Tots therapy plan of care starts with the first question of every session “ how can I help you today?” The next question is “tell me about you, your family, your needs, your schedule, what does your child enjoy. and what motivates them to try to move? “ Your concerns are listed on a problem list matched with what specific building blocks are limiting development in those areas. The therapist then assesses what the child CAN do now! What is emerging success that we can build upon?
9. Caregiver Empowerment:
A key component of TMR Tots is parent/caregiver education to help you understand your child’s strengths, minimize their struggles and have them be the most comfortable and healthy The home program does require special equipment or try to make you be a therapist, or give you more work in your busy schedule . It is to customize what you already do in play and positioning your child to make it therapeutic. These activities and positions complement the objectives of therapy and can help accelerate progress. Current research is that it takes 15,000 repetitions to learn control of a motion. The therapist offers suggestions that will target the objectives of their therapy. You choose how you might use these ideas in your daily activities. It is not to give you more work or try to make you be a therapist, but to understand how to make your child most comfortable with therapeutic positions and how to play.
10. Total Motion Is Total Child/Total Family
The 3 components of the International Classification of Function (ICF) Model for treatment focuses on the needs of your family for function, fun, fitness, friends, plus faith, flexibility and future. Faith: Looking for hidden potential to develop new available access to build on control. Flexibility: Serving the individual patient and family meeting their unique concerns and needs in integrating activities into their day Future: Imbalances in posture and mobility put excessive strains on by systems by long time misuse which can set the patient up for future pain and impairment issues. Creating a foundation and matching their interests sets the stage for lifetime improvement.