As a parent of a neurodiverse child in Chicago, more than likely you’ve explored several therapeutic approaches. Some offered small steps forward. Others left you wondering whether progress had stalled or whether your child needed a different kind of support.

More and more families are discovering a therapy at Eyas Landing in Chicago that feels different. Parents describe it as an approach that finally makes things click for their child.

This gentle, whole‑body approach is called Total Motion Release, or TMR, and respects how children naturally move, learn, and grow.

At Eyas Landing, our trained pediatric therapists use TMR to help children improve asymmetry, motor control, coordination, and everyday functional movement. The results are giving families something they deeply deserve: hope backed by real, visible progress.

Before we dive into how TMR works, let’s explore where it came from and why so many Chicago parents describe it as the therapy that “finally unlocked my child’s body.”

If you’d like more personalized insights, please contact us today. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

A Brief History

Total Motion Release was created more than 15 years ago by physical therapist Tom Dalonzo-Baker. He first developed the technique to help adult patients reduce pain and move more freely. His focus was on releasing restrictions in muscle and fascia, the connective tissue that wraps around and supports our muscles.

By restoring balance and symmetry, his patients moved better and felt better, often faster than expected.

The real breakthrough for families came when pediatric physical therapist Susan Blum saw something important. She realized these same gentle principles could help children too.

In 2007, she adapted the method for infants, kids, and teens, creating Total Motion Release Tots and Teens, known as TMR TNT.

What Is Total Motion Release?

Total Motion Release is a postural release technique that looks at the whole body. Instead of focusing only on the spot where symptoms show up, TMR studies how different parts of the body affect each other.

Here’s a simple example. A child with torticollis (a tight, tilted neck) may seem like they only need neck treatment. But a TMR therapist also checks the hips, trunk, shoulders, and legs. Often, releasing tightness in these other areas leads to faster, fuller improvements than treating the neck alone.

TMR works by:

• Finding asymmetries, or differences between the two sides of the body
• Using the child’s “easy side” to gently release the “hard side”
• Improving active range of motion (how far a child can move on their own)
• Restoring balanced, symmetrical alignment
• Strengthening motor control
• Reducing compensatory patterns (the ways children overuse one side to make up for the other)

Best of all, it’s gentle and child-friendly. That makes it a great fit for neurodiverse children who may find traditional therapy overwhelming.

Who Can TMR TNT Help?

TMR TNT supports a wide range of children. It can be used with babies, toddlers, kids, and teens, and every plan is built around your child’s unique strengths, needs, and sensory profile.

This approach often helps children with:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Down syndrome
• Cerebral palsy
• Hypotonia (low muscle tone)
• Torticollis
• Scoliosis (curving of the spine)
• Developmental delays
• Motor control challenges
• Sensory motor difficulties
• Asymmetrical movement patterns

Chicago therapists find that TMR is especially helpful for neurodiverse children who:

• Avoid certain movements
• Have a hard time with transitions
• Show uneven or tilted posture
• Tire out quickly
• Have sensory sensitivities
• Struggle with motor planning

If any of these sound like your child, you’re not alone. Many families arrive feeling stuck, and this whole body approach gives them a fresh path forward.

Why TMR TNT Is Different

Traditional therapy often focuses on stretching tight muscles or strengthening weak ones. That work has real value. But TMR TNT takes a different route. It looks at the whole body to find the true source of asymmetry, which often isn’t where the symptoms appear.

Five features make this approach stand out.

1. Precise Focus

TMR pinpoints the real source of restriction and treats it directly. Since that source is often far from where the symptoms show, this can unlock progress that other methods miss.

2. Builds on Strengths

Children start from their “easy side.” This means they practice movements they can already do well. Working from strength boosts confidence and helps the body learn better movement patterns.

3. Empowers Caregivers

You become an active partner in your child’s progress. Simple activities blend into daily routines at home, school, and daycare. Instead of one therapy hour each week, helpful movement becomes part of everyday life.

4. No Tears

TMR is gentle, comfortable, and child-led. There’s no painful stretching or forceful positioning. Children stay calm and engaged.

5. Strong Results

Many children who plateau with other therapies begin to improve once TMR is added. This is especially true for torticollis and asymmetrical movement patterns. Chicago families often describe TMR as the moment everything finally clicked.

What Does a TMR TNT Session Look Like?

One of the first things parents notice is how relaxed these sessions feel. TMR uses simple positions and movements to release restrictions. The therapist places your child on their preferred or easy side, which gently “unlocks” the tighter side of the body.

A typical session may include:

• Gentle positioning
• Play-based movement
• A whole body assessment
• Releasing fascial restrictions
• Encouraging your child to explore new movement
• Practicing balanced, symmetrical alignment
• Weaving motor skills into fun, functional play

As restrictions ease, children naturally begin to:

• Move more evenly on both sides
• Build stronger gross motor skills
• Gain better balance
• Improve motor control
• Rely less on compensatory patterns
• Increase their range of motion

Parents often call these “feel good therapy” sessions because children stay comfortable, calm, and involved. When a child enjoys therapy, they participate more, and that engagement is one of the strongest signs that an approach is a good fit.

The Home Program: Simple and Empowering

Progress doesn’t have to stop when the session ends. One of the biggest strengths of TMR TNT is its easy home program. You don’t need special equipment or long practice sessions. Most exercises take about two minutes and fit right into your daily life.

You can practice while:

• Feeding your child
• Holding or carrying them
• Playing together
• Reading a story
• Moving through normal daily routines

Parents appreciate that this home program:

• Requires no special equipment
• Doesn’t demand long sessions
• Never overwhelms the child
• Blends naturally into everyday moments

For busy Chicago families juggling school, work, and appointments, this flexibility matters. Therapy that fits your life is therapy you can actually keep up with, and consistency is where real growth happens.

Why Chicago Families Love TMR

When you talk with local parents, the same themes come up again and again. Families across Chicago report:

• Faster progress
• Less frustration for both child and parent
• Happier, calmer therapy sessions
• Improved posture
• Better motor control
• Stronger functional skills for daily life
• Reduced asymmetry
• More confident engagement in everyday activities

For neurodiverse children, TMR offers something special. It’s a gentle, whole body approach that respects sensory needs, supports emotional regulation, and builds confidence one milestone at a time. Children aren’t pushed past their limits. They’re guided from a place of strength.

That combination of gentleness and results is exactly what many families have been searching for. If you’ve felt stuck, or if your child’s progress seems to have stalled, this pediatric physical therapy approach may open a new door.

Your next step is simple. Reach out to Eyas Landing to ask about TMR TNT services and whether this approach could be a good fit for your child. Together, you and their care team can build a plan that honors your child’s unique journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Total Motion Release safe and comfortable for my child?

Yes. TMR is designed to be gentle and child-led. It works by starting from your child’s easy side, which means there’s no painful stretching or forceful positioning. Many parents describe sessions as “feel good therapy” because children stay calm and engaged throughout. This makes it especially well suited for neurodiverse children with sensory sensitivities or those who find other therapies overwhelming.

Can TMR be used alongside my child’s current therapies?

Absolutely. TMR TNT often works well as part of a larger care plan. Many children who reached a plateau with other therapies begin to make progress once TMR is added, particularly with torticollis and asymmetrical movement patterns. Your therapist can coordinate this approach with your child’s existing occupational, speech, or physical therapy so everything works together smoothly.

How do I get started with TMR TNT at Eyas Landing?

Getting started is easy. Simply contact Eyas Landing to schedule an appointment or ask questions about TMR TNT services. The team will talk through your child’s needs, answer your questions, and help you decide if TMR is the right next step for your family.

This post was originally published in October 2023 and was rewritten in September 2026 to include updated strategies.