Our Angelfish Aquatic Therapy sessions are life-changing for people with special needs or disabilities.
We use the therapeutic properties of water to optimize therapy goals. Through aquatic therapy we can treat many areas at once including:
Our aquatic therapists are are highly trained Occupational and Physical Therapists, including specialized credentials in pediatric and adult rehabilitation. They are also certified in the Swim Whisperers® Method, and are specifically trained to work with individuals with a wide range of disabilities, including physical, cognitive, and sensory disabilities and will adapt sessions to meet the unique needs of each client, while prioritizing safety.
Is Aquatic Therapy Right For My Child?
Aquatic therapy can be a valuable tool for children with various conditions. If you are currently doing land-based therapy, Aquatic therapy can add a new dimension to what you are currently working on. Working in the water can not only support your land-based therapies but can help you take progress to the next level using the therapeutic properties of the water.
Here are some common signs that your child may benefit from this specialized therapy:
How Does Aquatic Therapy Work?
Aquatic Therapy leverages the therapeutic properties of water. By performing exercises and treatment progressions in a water environment, therapists can target specific muscle groups and address a range of physical and sensory motor challenges.
Therapists use the water to regulate the sensory system, while incorporating functional skills. Our aquatic therapists with OT/PT knowledge and training, work on increasing muscle flexibility, strength, coordination, balance reactions and gross motor skills that might be too hard for your child to perform on land.
Aquatic therapy enhances traditional land-based therapy by offering a unique environment that helps reinforce and strengthen the progress made on land. After aquatic therapy sessions, we often see children achieve more intense core strengthening with greater comfort compared to when they are on land working with their therapy team.
What is the difference between Aquatic Therapy and Adaptive Swim?
Aquatic Therapy uses the therapeutic properties of water to improve physical and cognitive function. Here, the focus is on therapeutic goals, like improving motor skills or balance.
Adaptive swim lessons, on the other hand, are about teaching people with disabilities or special needs how to swim safely and more independently. These lessons are led by specially trained instructors, not therapists, and typically aren’t covered by insurance.
Aquatic therapy differs from adaptive swim, as it provides targeted exercises and sensory input for optimal self-regulation, empowering individuals of all ages and abilities to reach their full potential.
Find a Pool Near You
Swim Angelfish offers Angelfish aquatic therapy and Swim Whisperers swim lessons in multiple locations including:
- Fairfield County, CT
- Westchester County & Rockland County, NY
- Middlesex County & Norfolk County, MA
- Rockingham County, NH
Aquatic Therapy
Aquatic therapy is performed by specially trained Physical therapists and Occupational therapists. We use the therapeutic properties of the water to enhance our treatment and provide core strengthening, increased flexibility and range of motion, integrate primitive reflexes, improve coordination, improve dynamic balance and promote sensory integration.
The main difference between Aquatic Therapy and OT or PT is that we can treat multiple areas at once using the therapeutic properties of the water to enhance treatment.
While Aquatic Therapy can work on similar goals to traditional OT and PT, the therapeutic properties of the water add a motivating sensory element that cannot be replicated on land. With your skin being your largest organ and the water surrounding your entire body, we have an element of deep pressure that cannot be replicated. When these properties are incorporated into the therapeutic handling that we do, the client is able to multitask on multiple systems, all at the same time. The best part about it is that it is fun, motivating and prepares your child for a lifelong skill of more comfort and independence in the water.
We are considered an out-of-network provider.
We bill the services as outpatient as either Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy, depending on which therapist provides the treatment. Please check with your insurance provider to determine what if anything is covered. The billing code for individual therapy is 97113.
For all other health insurance-related questions please visit the Insurance tab in our FAQ section.
No, you do not need a script for services in the states of MA, NH, CT and NY. But it can help to get one from your child’s doctor if you are planning on submitting for reimbursement to help justify services.
Your therapist will email it to you within 2-3 weeks of the initial evaluation.
Email your therapist directly to get a letter of justification, please allow 1-2 weeks for this to be completed. You can also ask your child’s MD to write one as well.
Payment is due at the time of service. Mind Body is a secure system that stores your credit card information before your first lesson and it will be charged after your session. For any other payment or billing related questions, refer to the ‘Billing’ tab in our FAQ section.
For both aquatic therapy and Swim Whisperers, we offer Private, Semi-Private (2 children), or Group (3-4) sessions. Generally, children start with private sessions to establish basic skills, then work their way up to semi-private and group sessions, which offer increased social interaction benefits.
To enroll in our Swim Whisperers® Swim Lessons or Angelfish Aquatic Therapy sessions, please start by visiting our Registration page and choosing your region – either Massachusetts & New Hampshire or Connecticut & New York – and then continue to complete the registration form.
We will contact you to find a time and instructor that works best for your child.
