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Benefits of Intensive Therapy and Vestibular Rehab with Kali Jacobs, OTR/L
Kali Jacobs, OTR/L, MSc. OT, OT Reg. (Ont.), received her Masters of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto in 2012. She founded the SMILE Therapy for Kids OT department and trained all OTs across three clinics. Kali has training in sensory integration, including the Astronaut Program, as well as the Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach, The Listening Program, and the Sequential Oral Sensory (S.O.S.) approach to feeding. She has recently branched out on her own so that she is able to reach more children worldwide via travel therapy and telehealth.
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Benefits Of Intensive Therapy And Vestibular Rehab With Kali Jacobs, OTR-L
Did you know that your inner ear plays a crucial role in how your child navigates the world? The vestibular system helps with balance, spatial orientation, and even eye movement.
When this system is out of sync, children may struggle with coordination, sensory processing, and confidence in their own bodies. Vestibular rehabilitation offers a way to address these challenges. Kali Jacobs, a pediatric occupational therapist, explains how customized therapy can help children thrive.
What Is The Vestibular System?
The vestibular system is like your body’s internal GPS, located in the inner ear. It processes and interprets movement, helping your brain understand which way is up, down, left, or right.
This system relies on tiny fluid-filled canals that send signals to the brain about movement and balance. For children with sensory processing challenges or physical delays, the vestibular system might not function as it should, leading to discomfort, confusion, and even frustration when trying to learn new motor skills.
Signs Your Child May Need Vestibular Rehabilitation
Is your child struggling with balance or coordination? Here are some signs that may indicate vestibular challenges:
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Frequent dizziness or motion sickness, especially in cars.
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Difficulty maintaining balance when walking or running.
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Trouble keeping their eyes focused during movement (blurred vision).
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Fear of climbing, spinning, or being upside down.
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Avoidance of playground activities or swings.
If any of these sound familiar, vestibular rehabilitation might be the key to helping your child feel more comfortable and confident in their body.
The Vestibular-Ocular Connection
When your child moves their head, their eyes instinctively adjust to maintain focus, thanks to a process called the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). This reflex is vital for stabilizing vision during motion, enabling essential activities like reading, playing sports, and walking.
However, for children with a weak VOR, even basic movements can result in blurred vision, dizziness, or nausea, making everyday tasks feel overwhelming. Through targeted exercises that synchronize eye and head movements, therapists can help children improve visual stability, leading to clearer vision, enhanced balance, and better overall coordination.
How Vestibular Rehabilitation Works
Vestibular rehabilitation focuses on exercises tailored to your child’s unique needs. Kali Jacobs describes it as a mix of movement-based activities and sensory integration strategies.
Here’s what that might look like:
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Astronaut Training Program: This program uses spinning and visual tracking to stimulate the vestibular system.
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Dynamic Positioning: Exercises involve laying down, sitting up, or standing to challenge the vestibular system in different body positions.
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Custom Home Programs: Kali works with families to create easy-to-implement strategies that fit into daily life, even without fancy equipment.
“The goal is to find the ‘just-right challenge’ for each child,” Kali explains. This ensures that therapy is effective but not overwhelming.
Motion Sickness And The Vestibular System
Does your child get car sick easily? Motion sickness occurs when there’s a mismatch between what the eyes see and what the vestibular system senses.
This can be especially common in children with vestibular challenges. Kali recommends several strategies to help:
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Use weighted blankets or lap pads during car rides for calming input.
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Block side window views to reduce visual stimulation.
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Play calming music or introduce soothing scents, like lavender.
Success Stories And Challenges
According to Kali, every child responds differently, but progress is always possible. Some children show immediate improvements, while others need more time for their nervous system to adapt.
For non-verbal or non-speaking children, Kali uses observational techniques to assess progress and noting changes in eye movement, posture, and overall coordination after therapy activities. Parents also play a vital role by sharing insights into their child’s daily behavior and helping with carryover at home.
The Future Of Occupational Therapy Intensives
Kali is a strong advocate for OT boot camps or intensive therapy programs, which involve one to two sessions daily over a short period, such as three weeks. She explains, “Intensive therapy boosts the brain, helping children make faster progress than traditional weekly sessions.”
While intensives are not yet covered by insurance, their success has inspired many families to invest in these programs. Kali often travels to provide these services, tailoring therapy to each child’s unique needs.
How To Get Started With Vestibular Rehabilitation
If you think your child could benefit from vestibular therapy, here are a few steps to take:
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Consult A Specialist: Look for an occupational therapist trained in vestibular rehabilitation.
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Create A Sensory-Friendly Environment: Introduce sensory tools like swings or balance boards to your home.
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Stay Consistent: Progress often requires regular practice, so work with your therapist to establish a routine.
Final Thoughts
Vestibular rehabilitation is more than just therapy—it’s a way to help children feel at home in their bodies. With the right guidance, children can overcome challenges, build confidence, and thrive in their everyday lives.
BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views and opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties and what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.
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