What is aqua-therapy?

Aqua therapy is still a developing intervention, therapists use the water and specifically designed activities to enhance, restore, and maintain a person's overall functioning.

The warm water provides a safe and supported environment, but also provides them with hydrostatic pressure that surrounds their body in the water helping to relax and calm the children, providing the necessary sensory input they crave (Jake, 2003).  

 

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Occupational therapy and aquatic-therapy for  ASD:

For children with ASD occupational therapists can use the aquatic environment to focus on improving:

  *sensory processing and integration

*social interaction and behaviour

*self-cares and activities of daily living

*communication and cognitive improvements

 


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*motor skills and improved body awareness

*increasing muscle tone

*participation in play                                       

*having FUN!

(Dubois)

Occupational therapists can use visual cues such a laminated cards with pictures of self-cares, activities of daily living and play for the child to acknowlege what each is, objects can then be incorporated for the child to practice using, in an environment that enables them to feel safe and supported. Mirrors both under and above the water can also be used as a way of increasing the childs body awareness and encourages the child to push their limits and go beneath the water.  

Activities in the water can be applied across a wide variety of contexts in an individual or group setting that provide for the different needs of the children and activity demands.

Studies have displayed an increase in physical or behavioral skills, strength, endurance, and opportunity for life skills practice; increased self-confidence and social participation and reports that the water calmed children and improved body awareness (Jordan, 2009). Through improving these aspects of the child they then have the potential ability to participate in everyday life as desired.

Therapists need to constantly supervise the child during the session and take into consideration the water temperature and reduce any lighting and noise that may have a negative effect on the child.

References:

Dubois, M. (2011). Aquatic Therapy for Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder: Occupational Therapists' Perspectives. Australia. 

Jake, L. (2003). Autism and the role of Aquatic Therapy in Recreational Therapy Treatment Services. Retrieved from: http://www.recreationtherapy.com/articles/autismandquatictherapy.htm

Jordan, A. (2009). Autistic students making progress at aquatics centre. The Metro West Daily News. Retrieved from http://www.metrowestdailynews.com