First Aquatic Therapy Session: Preparation and Expectations

Many parents wonder what to expect for their child’s first aquatic therapy session. While it’s normal for them to feel either excited or apprehensive, our trained and experienced aquatic therapists are here to help our clients and their families, feel comfortable, improve their confidence and ensure a positive experience.

Aquatic therapy can be a great option for your child as it can improve visual motor skills, balance, coordination, strengthen core muscles, and provide sensory and reflex integration.

This guide equips you with the knowledge needed to prepare for your child’s first aquatic therapy session, maximizing the benefits and setting you both at ease.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

What To Do Before the Evaluation

Our therapists have experience working with a variety of diagnoses in the water. During an intake call with your therapist, you can discuss your concerns, questions, and any precautions before your first evaluation visit.

  • Send the therapist any relevant reports: this can include school IEPs, a behavior plan, OT, PT, SLP evaluations, or progress summaries.
  • If your child has a medically complex condition, check with their health care team and pediatrician to ensure proper clearance to receive aquatic therapy treatment.
  • Call your insurance company before the evaluation to determine your coverage. Our helpful Insurance FAQs will help to answer any questions you may have.

Preparations and Expectations for Your Aquatic Therapy Lesson

  • Intake Phone Call
    Expect a phone call from your therapist to collaborate and discuss specific needs, abilities, goals, and any potential challenges. It is imperative to share details about any water experiences, sensory preferences, motor abilities, motivators, communication styles and any medical concerns.
  • Visit the Pool in Advance
    Doing a “dress rehearsal” before your child’s first lesson may help reduce anxiety and teach the expected routine. This will help familiarize your child with the sensory experience surrounding the pool environment such as light, sound, and temperature.
  • Evaluation
    The initial evaluation will explore how the water can be used to increase strength, motor coordination, reflex integration, and so much more. Your therapist will determine what types of movements will provide the best possible results and will collaborate with you to determine a treatment plan individualized to your child.
  • Routine
    Developing a routine around your Aquatic Therapy session can improve transitions and increase comfort.
  • Use of Equipment
    Throughout your session, adaptive aquatics equipment such as pool noodles, dumbbells, neck collars, flippers, and more might be used to enhance your therapy session. These tools help support, add resistance, or assistance depending on the exercise.
  • Water Familiarization
    If your child has discomfort with some aspects of the pool, don’t worry. We have strategies to address the underlying problems and overcome any obstacles during the session. Many times, we will encounter children who are fearful in the water. Your therapist will offer guidance and may share helpful parental education resources so that you can contribute to improving your child’s comfort.

Upon completion of your Aquatic Therapy Evaluation, you will receive a written report within 2 weeks for your records. This will include a care plan and personalized goals based on your child’s needs. Continued open communication about any changes you see at home following aquatic therapy sessions with us, can help to guide future planning to reach original or new goals.

Aquatic Therapy Benefits

For a fun and effective therapy option for your child with special needs, look no further than Aquatic Therapy! Aquatic therapy utilizes the unique properties of water to improve physical, sensory, and emotional well-being. Here are 5 benefits that may surprise you:

  • Sensory Regulation
    Aquatic Therapy offers an abundance of sensory input for self-regulation, modulation, and attention. The properties of the water provide continuous sensory input. The hydrostatic pressure surrounds the body, and the thickness of the viscosity gives swimmers an understanding of where they are in the water.
  • Motor Skill Development
    The viscosity of the water can allow time for your child to recruit the right reactions, and postural responses to practice motor skills and achieve developmental milestones more effectively. Aquatic therapy will aid in improving visual motor skills, balance, coordination, and motor planning.
  • Body Control
    A great benefit of aquatic therapy is that gravity is reduced and will help your child with knowing where their body is in space, which will lead to improved motor control and more integrated reflexes.
  • Breath Control
    The use of respiration and breathing patterns used in Aquatic Therapy have multiple benefits. Your therapist will use the modality of the water to increase inhalation and exhalation which will bring positive outcomes with increased vocalization and words per breath.
  • Available to Everyone
    Aquatic Therapy is a supportive environment for children and young adults with Autism, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Anxiety and more. The water offers an even playing field for children with motor challenges.

Trust in us to help you learn Everything You Need To Know About Aquatic Therapy, and gain a deeper understanding of its benefits as well as how it can complement your child’s existing therapies.

What To Bring To Your Aquatic Therapy Session

  • Swimsuit
    Make sure you have a suit that is comfortable for your child, well-fitted, and allows for free movement.
  • Swim Diapers
    Accidents happen! You can make sure to avoid interruptions to your child’s aquatic therapy session by selecting a swim diaper that is best for your child to wear under a well fitted swimsuit.
  • Goggles
    In some lessons, if it’s appropriate for your therapy goals, your child may swim with and without goggles. Goggles help protect their eyes and can make them feel more comfortable when putting their face in the water.
  • Comfort Items
    Familiar objects can provide a sense of security to make the experience more enjoyable, consider a bathtub toy. Be creative and bring motivating items that are specific to your child.
  • Shower Supplies and Towel
    Don’t forget to bring some shower supplies such as shampoo, conditioner, and body wash to help wash off the chlorine. Towel time after the pool with a little song will not only keep your child warm and dry after their session but will also create a good exit routine.

We want to make your child’s first aquatic therapy session a success. This motivating, sensory rich environment offers an opportunity to work on multiple skills all while having fun. It is an opportunity to significantly improve one’s overall physical capabilities and well-being. By understanding what your child’s session will entail, you can empower yourself and your child to confidently embrace their aquatic therapy session. We ask that you openly discuss with us any concerns you may have! Working together is key to uncovering the potential roadblocks and will lead to a more effective treatment plan tailored to your child’s specific needs.

Ailene Tisser, MA, PT, Founder

Ailene is a pediatric Physical Therapist with more than 25 years of experience treating a variety of diagnoses, both in and out of the water. She is NDT (Neuro-Developmental Treatment) trained in pediatrics and is trained in DIR/Floortime. She is currently certified as an Autism Specialist by IBCCES. Ailene brings all of her Physical Therapy expertise into the water, where she helps children of all abilities feel safe, confident, and independent. She combines her passion and skill for working with children with special needs with the therapeutic properties of the water to achieve amazing results. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience by educating other Aquatic Professionals so that they can also make a significant impact on the lives of swimmers with special needs.

Cindy Freedman, MOTR, Founder

Cindy is a recreational therapist and an Occupational therapist. After working for ten years as a recreational therapist in a variety of settings, she pursued a Master’s degree in OT. Her career as an OT includes specialty training in sensory integration, reflex repatterning, and aquatics. She is currently certified as an Autism Specialist by IBCCES. As a swimmer and national champion diver, Her love of the water combined with her education and work experience created them an opportunity for Swim Angelfish to become a reality! “Our mission is to create an aquatic community of trained instructors so that together we can decrease the alarming statistic of drowning being the leading cause of death for children with special needs.”