Aqua Tots
- Community Therapy Services has an aquatic therapy program for children
ages 1 to 5 years old and their parents. The program is an adjunct to
regular physical therapy. The therapy goals of each child are addressed in a
group setting, and the therapist teaches parents carryover activities to
maximize outcomes.
- The 6-week program is run by a licensed and certified physical therapist
and a certified child development specialist.
- The water offers many benefits that can be incorporated into therapy
goals. The buoyancy of the water gives support to the child to aid in the
development of stability and balance. The warmth of the water decreases
muscle spasticity to allow for more typical movements of the body. The water
also offers a natural resistance to movement to develop muscle strength. In
addition, the basic swimming skills -- breath control, prone float and
recovery, and supine float and recovery -- are also developmental skills
that directly carry over to skills on the land.