5 Tips to Help Your Child Thrive in Aquatic Occupational Therapy

Child in pool rolling on side with a noodle supporting and swim instructor helping arms

Did you know your child’s occupational therapy can be just as effective in the pool as it is on land—and help them build skills they use every day?

At Swim Angelfish, Aquatic Occupational Therapy (OT) gives children with special needs a safe, supportive, and motivating environment to work on everyday skills—like playing, learning, dressing, and interacting with others—while the water naturally supports balance, coordination, and confidence in movement.

Every child is unique, and small, consistent steps can make a big difference. These 5 practical tips will help you support your child, collaborate with their therapist, and make aquatic therapy a positive, effective experience.

1. Share Your Child’s Story

The more your therapist knows about your child, the more meaningful the occupational therapy sessions in the water can be. Consider sharing:

  • Medical history and previous therapy experiences, so the therapist has the full picture

  • Daily routines, likes, and dislikes to help tailor activities that feel comfortable and engaging

  • Sensory preferences and sensitivities so sessions are safe and enjoyable

At Swim Angelfish, this helps us design aquatic activities that match your child’s needs and make therapy fun.

2. Set Clear Goals

Since you know your child best, you can help identify what they need to work on most. Setting goals with the therapist ensures every session is focused and productive. Think about:

  • Functional skills like reaching, grasping, or balance

  • Coordination and motor planning that supports everyday activities

  • Strength and endurance to help with daily tasks

When goals are clear, both you and your child’s therapist can celebrate progress along the way.

3. Communicate and Collaborate

To make sure you and your child’s therapist are on the same page, regular communication is key. A few simple strategies can help:

  • Keep a notebook or log: Record discussions with the therapist and note anything unusual at home, like your child being stressed or doing exceptionally well.

  • Share updates: Let the aquatic therapist know what’s happened since the last session to help them adjust activities.

  • Schedule check-ins: Plan brief calls or meetings to ensure there’s time to discuss progress and goals without feeling rushed.

Our Collaboration Meeting Service helps set aquatic OT goals and provides updates to your child’s land-based OT.

4. Observe and Encourage

Sometimes, seeing a session in action can help you understand strategies and celebrate progress:

  • Watch how your child responds to activities and approaches

  • Notice small achievements—even tiny wins build confidence and motivation

  • Communicate observations to the therapist to help guide future sessions

TIP: Always coordinate with the therapist before observing to make sure your child isn’t distracted and can focus.

5. Practice at Home

Aquatic Therapy sessions are relatively short compared to daily life, so a little practice at home can go a long way:

  • Ask your therapist for simple activities that fit naturally into routines

  • Reinforce skills consistently—even small exercises help children retain what they learn in the pool

  • Keep it playful. Games, music, or favorite toys make practice fun and motivating

Try this highly motivating and fun activity with your child at home. It is packed with occupational therapy benefits and reinforces swim safety for rollovers in the water. Benefits include:

  • Mobilizes the Rib Cage – arms up above the head for a deep breath
  • Encourages Independent Head Movement – as the head leads the roll
  • Supports Reflex Re-Patterning – important for swim-float-swim skill which is a water safety skill
  • Supports Visual Tracking – eye movements as the roll naturally ‘forces’ vision to look at the belly, then side, then ceiling etc.
  • Provides Vestibular Input – which satiates sensory seeking or can help improve alertness

Supporting Your Child’s Success

Our hope is to see every child in our Aquatic Therapy program succeed.

Every child’s needs are unique, which is why collaboration and ongoing communication with your therapist are so important—they ensure therapy is meaningful, effective, and tailored to your child.

By sharing information, setting goals, practicing at home, and celebrating progress, parents can help their child get the most out of pediatric aquatic OT and reach their highest potential.

Get Started at a Swim Angelfish location to help your child strengthen skills and confidence in the pool.

Ailene Tisser, MA, PT, Founder

Ailene Tisser, a pediatric Physical Therapist with over 30 years of experience and co-founder of Swim Angelfish® and the Swim Whisperers® method, specializes in aquatic therapy and adaptive swim for children with special needs. Trained in NDT, DIR/Floortime, and certified as an Autism Specialist and Primitive Reflex Specialist she fosters water safety, confidence, and independence in her young clients. Ailene is also passionate about educating aquatic professionals, setting a standard of excellence for adaptive aquatics training and professional development.

Cindy Freedman, MOTR, Founder

Cindy, MS, OTR/L is an occupational and recreational therapist with over 30 years of experience specializing in pediatrics and aquatics. Driven by a passion for helping children with special needs reach their full potential, Cindy co-founded Swim Angelfish, an organization dedicated to providing adaptive swim and aquatic therapy services as well as professional training. Her expertise in sensory integration, reflex repatterning, and aquatics, coupled with her love for water and experience as a national champion diver, has enabled her to make a profound impact on the lives of countless children. Cindy is certified as an Autism Specialist by IBCCES, and shows an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children with special needs.