Therapies
We are trained in a wide variety of therapeutic interventions and modalities! We work hard to find the ones that work best for you and your children’s needs. At Kelowna SMILE Therapy for Kids we continue to educate ourselves and seek training in the new areas of therapy.
Modalities
Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI)
Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) therapy is used to help people with motor challenges, such as those with cerebral palsy. DMI focuses on improving the brain's ability to control movement through fun and engaging activities. By guiding them through specific movements, we can help strengthen their muscles, improve coordination, and support the brain’s motor pathways, leading to more efficient and functional movement. It’s an active, hands-on approach to help develop better motor skills and independence.
Spider Cage Therapy
Spider Cage Therapy is a specialized approach we use with children and youth to improve posture, balance, and coordination. The spider cage is a unique piece of equipment that supports the body with adjustable ropes and harnesses, allowing for specific movements. This gentle support helps with motor impairments, like those with cerebral palsy, to strengthen muscles and gain better control over their movements. The therapy helps to improve movement patterns, while also boosting confidence in abilities.
Aquatic Therapy
We work with kids and youth in a warm pool to help improve their strength, flexibility, and balance. The buoyancy of the water supports the body, making movements easier and less painful, which is especially helpful for those with joint issues or muscle weakness. The resistance of the water also helps strengthen muscles and improve coordination without putting strain on the body. This is a gentle and fun way to help recover from injuries, improve motor skills, and build strength in a soothing, supportive environment.
Serial Casting
We offer on site serial casting services. Serial casting is an effective intervention to help improve foot and ankle deformities often caused by spasticity and muscle shortening. We apply a series of casts to the affected body parts, usually the arms or legs, to gradually stretch the muscles and improve range of motion. These casts are changed over time to slowly increase the stretch, helping the muscles become more flexible and functional. It’s a non-invasive way to help regain movement and improve ability to perform everyday tasks.
Orthotic Posting
Orthotic posting is a technique used in custom-made shoe inserts (orthotics) to help correct the alignment and position of the feet. By adding small adjustments under certain areas of the foot, like the arch or heel, we can correct misalignments and reduce discomfort. These adjustments help with conditions like overpronation or flat feet, improving balance and making walking or standing more comfortable. Orthotics with posting provide the support needed to move more efficiently and pain-free.
Postural Alignment - Theratogs
Theratogs is a special suit-like garment that helps improve postural alignment and movement. The Theratog suit provides gentle support to the body, helping to align muscles and joints, and promoting better posture, balance, and coordination. It’s especially helpful for those with motor or postural challenges. The suit supports proper alignment, reduces strain, and helps children and youth move more effectively, enhancing their ability to participate in daily activities.
NMES, FES, Electric Muscle Stim
We use therapies like NMES (Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation), FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation), and electric muscle stimulation (EMS) to help improve muscle strength and function. NMES is used to activate and strengthen muscles that may have become weak due to injury or developmental conditions. FES is great for helping perform specific movements, like walking or grasping, by stimulating the muscles in a controlled way. EMS can also be used to encourage muscle activity, reduce spasms, and promote healing. These therapies are helpful tools in rehabilitation, supporting better movement and strength.
Strength Training
Strength training is an important part of helping to build muscle strength, improve coordination, and enhance overall function. It involves carefully tailored exercises that target specific muscle groups to promote muscle growth, stability, and endurance. We do age-appropriate exercises and resistance, such as bodyweight exercises, light weights, or resistance bands, depending on the abilities and needs. It helps improve posture, support better movement patterns, and prevent injury by making muscles and joints more resilient. Strength training is a fun and effective way to support reaching their physical milestones, whether it’s improving mobility, sports performance, or daily activities.
Reflex Integration
Reflex integration is a key process used to help develop smoother, more coordinated movement patterns. Reflexes are automatic, involuntary movements that are present at birth and help infants respond to their environment. However, if certain reflexes do not integrate or "mature" properly, they can interfere with motor skills, balance, and coordination as the child grows. Reflex integration therapy involves specific exercises and activities designed to help the brain properly integrate these primitive reflexes, allowing the child to gain better control over voluntary movements. By addressing these reflexes, we can improve the child’s posture, coordination, focus, and overall functional abilities, supporting their development in both physical and cognitive areas.
Vestibular Rehab (Astronaut Training)
Vestibular rehabilitation is a treatment we use to help with balance, dizziness, or coordination issues that arise from problems in the inner ear or brain’s vestibular system. The vestibular system plays a key role in helping us maintain balance and spatial awareness. When it isn’t functioning properly, people may experience difficulty with tasks like walking, sitting upright, or even focusing on objects. Vestibular rehab involves exercises and activities that stimulate and challenge the balance system, helping it to adapt and function more efficiently. By gradually increasing the difficulty of movements and activities, this therapy helps children and youth to improve their balance, stability, and coordination, which can have a positive impact on their overall motor skills and daily life activities.
Swings
We incorporate swings into therapy to help develop strength, coordination, and sensory processing skills. Swings can be a great tool for improving balance, muscle control, and body awareness, especially for those with sensory integration issues or motor delays. The motion of swinging also provides vestibular input, which stimulates the inner ear and helps improve sense of balance. It also allows for fun, controlled opportunities to work on postural control, core strength, and coordination. Swinging can help build confidence in movement abilities, promote relaxation, and support sensory regulation, all while making therapy more engaging and enjoyable.
Gait Training
Gait training is a key component of helping improve walking ability, whether learning to walk for the first time or recovering from an injury or condition. It focuses on how to move legs and feet in a coordinated, efficient way to promote a smooth, functional walking pattern. Through specific exercises and activities, we work on strengthening muscles, improving balance, and developing the correct posture and movement mechanics. Gait training may involve using assistive devices like walkers or braces if needed, and we gradually increase the difficulty of tasks to challenge your child’s walking ability. This therapy helps regain independence and mobility, making it easier for them to navigate their environment and participate in daily activities.
Functional Play
Functional play is an essential part of therapy that uses play-based activities to help develop the motor skills needed for daily life. Through functional play, your child can work on skills like reaching, grasping, standing, and walking in a fun and engaging way. It focuses on using everyday activities—like playing with toys, climbing, or simple games—to improve strength, coordination, and body awareness, all while making therapy enjoyable. Functional play also helps your child improve problem-solving abilities, social skills, and confidence as they learn to navigate their environment and interact with others. It’s a great way to support both physical and cognitive development in a natural, motivating context.
And More...
We use a flexible approach to incorporate a variety of therapeutic activities that address specific needs. Whether it's focusing on improving fine motor skills, enhancing core strength, or developing better coordination, we ensure that each session targets your child's individual goals.
Where We Work

Clinic Visits
Clinic visits offer a fun and exciting experience where we are able to incorporate a variety of unique therapeutic interventions including spider cage therapy, trampoline therapy, whole body vibration, vestibular therapy (swings), treadmill gait training and many more...


Home Visits
For some children, and their families, a familiar environment is more regulating. We recognize that clinic visits are not practical for every family, and, as we work to make therapy accessible to all, at home therapy can be a more convenient option. In addition, therapeutic treatment done in the home often results in higher carry-over of home programs.

Aquatic Therapy
We offer Aquatic therapy in various public, and private pools, in the community. Aquatic therapy addresses physical therapy goals in an environment where buoyancy, water resistance, hydrostatic pressure, and the warmth of the water contribute to more favourable outcomes.

Community Visits
Where it is beneficial to the child, family, or team, we offer visits at daycares, private schools, behavioural intervention centres and at community parks or play grounds.