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Early
Education Playgroups and Special Events provide a stimulating and
nurturing environment for children to learn and practice new skills
during play. Playgroups include developmentally appropriate free play,
fine motor table activities, circle time, gross motor activities and
snack time.
Pool Therapy is provided at a local indoor heated pool. We
instruct parents on how to support their child in prone, supine or
vertical positions to encourage movement in the 89 degree water.
We have a variety of toys for water play and social interaction.
Half way through the session, we have “Circle Time” for singing adapted
hand motion songs to encourage speech and water movement activities.
Background
The class started as a project to integrate therapeutic services in the
water utilizing movement and resistance along with language and sensory
skill development. The lead staff member responsible and implementing
the project has extensive experience with Adapted Aquatics at the
University of New Mexico
Benefits
Improve muscular strength, reduce atrophy, gain use and control of
limbs, and maintain activity in the early intervention adapted aquatics
with the support and commitment of families.
According to Sweeney, J.K. (1983). Neonatal hydrotherapy: an adjunct to
developmental intervention in an intensive care nursery setting.
Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics. 3(1), 39-52, Infants
and toddlers seem the perfect candidates for aquatic intervention.
Especially infant and toddlers with neuromuscular and orthopedic
dysfunction since water (warm water) offers these children a release.
Criteria to Determine Participation
Pool Therapy is open to any child in the TOTS program. A parent or
guardian has to be willing to get in the water with their child. Pool
Therapy has to support an outcome on the child’s IFSP. Referrals by
therapists (PT, OT, and SLP) are taken into consideration. Priority is
given to children with neuromuscular and orthopedic dysfunction.