Specialty Services
Origami treatment providers are specially trained in areas of brain injury rehabilitation that will accent and improve overall recovery. Once eligible, our providers are required to become Certified Brain Injury Specialists (CBIS) through the American Academy of Brain Injury Specialists. Many of them have other special certifications as evidence of competency. Please let us know if we can provide further details.
Cognitive Perceptual Motor (CPM) Retraining
CPM is a skill-building (remediation) treatment that develops basic skills so that the client will be able to progress into more complex skills. The theory mirrors how children learn skills for the first time. Likewise, adults who have sustained a traumatic brain injury can relearn skills through a systematic process offered by a trained professional. CPM is a comprehensive approach to cognitive rehabilitation developed in partnership with Michigan State University.
After a TBI, a person may not be able to perform some of the activities they could before their injury. In a traditional approach, the therapist would focus on that activity and practice it until the client is able to do it, or find an alternative. For example, if tying shoes is the goal, the client and therapist would practice tying shoes until the client could either tie their shoes, or the therapist decides it’s not a reachable goal. In that case, they would recommend a compensatory strategy like buying Velcro shoes.
CPM is based on advanced research that supports the brain’s ability to develop new pathways. In CPM, the various tools at the therapist’s disposal identify the reasons why the client is not able to perform the activity. In the shoe-tying example, questions are assessed including: Is the client seeing the laces accurately? Is he/she feeling/touching/sensing the laces accurately? Is the client able to follow the steps? Does he/she remember the steps? Once the fundamental issue is rooted out, treatment addresses that skill. And as that skill improves, the client is able to perform more and more complex activities. This approach not only addresses the immediate activity/goal (like shoe-tying), but also will transfer to all activities that use the fundamental skills addressed in treatment.
CPM treatment focuses on retraining the visual-perceptual, tactile-kinesthetic, motor, and cognitive skills affected by trauma. This approach has been successful with clients of all ages and severity levels, regardless of the length of time since the trauma occurred.
Pre-Driving Services
The Origami team understands that returning to driving is an important goal towards ultimate independence in society. Origami’s Occupational Therapists are trained to thoroughly assess the skills necessary to safely return to driving following a traumatic brain injury. One unique aspect to Origami’s pre-driving services is evaluation and training occurs in a simulated driving environment in addition to the traditional clinical setting. Utilizing an electric car on paved trails aligned with street signs, clients are able to practice skills and strategies in a safe environment. When the client is ready for an on-the-road driving evaluation, the Occupational Therapist will make arrangements with the client’s physician and a Certified Driver’s Rehabilitation Specialist.
Manual Therapy
Origami's Physical Therapists use a hands-on treatment method for muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and joints, called manual therapy. The goal for using these skilled hand movements is to increase range of motion; induce relaxation; decrease pain; and reduce soft tissue swelling. Functional exercises are added to provide a holistic approach to pain and joint dysfunction to help re-learn normal strength and movement patterns.
Vestibular Rehabilitation
Clients who experience dizziness, poor balance, low activity level, and vision difficulty may benefit from this specialized service. Origami’s Physical Therapists have received additional training in vestibular rehabilitation. During the individualized, comprehensive vestibular evaluation, the Physical Therapist will assess strength, range of motion, balance, ambulation, sensation, and occulomotor tests to assess the vision and vestibular systems.
Vision Therapy
It is common to experience vision changes following a traumatic brain injury and this can affect everyday activities such as school, work, leisure, driving, and home management; therefore, every client referred to Occupational Therapy at Origami will receive a vision screen. If physical, cognitive, or perceptual vision complications are identified, the therapist will work closely with the client and an Optometrist who will develop a treatment plan and exercise regimen.
