Making Therapy Fun! Using Therapeutic Aquatics for Functional Gains in Pediatrics

Location & Dates

  • Houston, TX, USA
  • June 22, 2012 to June 23, 2012

Course Description:

Learn treatment techniques to emphasize the strengthening and symmetry of the trunk while activating and strengthening the extremities towards the functional outcome.  A problem-based approach is used to determine the aquatic treatment strategies best suited to the pediatric client; based on their identified functional outcome, the task analysis of that outcome, and the impact of water on their movements. A treatment demonstration will assist in planning and integrating aquatic and land-based interventions. Lots of pool lab time to practice the techniques under supervision.  Introductory to intermediate level course.

Objectives:

At the completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  1. Identify the properties of water that most significantly impact the gross, fine, sensory/perceptual, vestibular, and oral motor deficits typically seen in the pediatric population.
  2. Choose the treatment strategies particular to water that directly impact the motor, adaptive or communicative functions in pediatric clients.
  3. List pool activities for a child that can be used to address the impairments identified via task analysis towards their functional outcome; land-based or water based outcomes.
  4. Describe water safety and swimming skills that can contribute towards a client’s lifetime pursuit of health and fitness.
  5. Organize treatment strategies into an effective sequence to achieve a client’s identified functional outcome.
  6. Demonstrate understanding and basic skill level in at least 15 aquatic treatment strategies as discussed in the mornings and demonstrated in the afternoon pool sessions.

Agenda 15 hours/1.5 CEUs

Day One

7:30   Sign in and coffee

8:00   Morning Content (with a 15 minute break)

  • Physical Properties of Water and How They Impact Human Movement
  • Water Safety Skills and Their Impact on  “Land Function”
  • The Use of Water to Improve Core Strength

12:00  Lunch (on your own)

1:00  Afternoon Content

  • Therapeutic Handling I (pool lab)

5:00  End of Day One

Day Two

7:30    Sign in and coffee

8:00   Morning Content (with a 15 minute break)

  • Using Water for the Child with “Sensory” Concerns
  • Introduction to Halliwick, Bad Ragaz
  • Videotape Analysis of a Treatment Session

12:00  Lunch (on your own)

1:00  Afternoon Content

  • Client Demonstration (in pool)
  • Therapeutic Handling II (pool lab)

4:30   End of Workshop