Do you have a child that does not stop moving? Behaviors causing them to jump, yell, push, pull and display impulsive movements can lead to an accident or disrupt community or group situations. This can be particularly concerning, as well as a drowning risk if they are attracted to the water without having basic swim safety skills.

Aquatic therapy as a modality for highly seeking children with Autism can be a game-changer for prolonged self-regulation. Often the day after aquatic therapy, schools will report more success during ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) sessions, better attention to directions and a decrease in challenging behaviors.

4 Proven Benefits of Aquatic Therapy for a Child With Autism

Why is pediatric aquatic therapy a good addition to land-based therapy sessions?

The ability to satiate the sensory system through aquatic therapy can have a positive impact on many things. It helps with decreasing the sensory seeking behaviors and helps to achieve therapy goals faster.

After experiencing aquatic therapy, parents and guardians often see a reduction in some behaviors such as: jumping up and down, fast walking, non-stop talking or stereotypical hand flapping. Many caregivers also report that they see an increase in attention and notice a quiet, calmer child.

There are 4 proven benefits of aquatic therapy for children with Autism:

  1. Improved self-regulation.
  2. Increased ability to pay attention.
  3. Reduction of sensory aversions i.e. certain clothing, food or even a haircut.
  4. Increased words or vocalizations.

There are 3 key elements of the water, that work together, to explain why aquatic therapy supports therapy goals for a child with autism; hydrostatic pressure, viscosity and surface tension of the water.

How Does Aquatic Therapy Support Speech Therapy?

Some children with autism have limited vocalizations or speak only a few words, and they will often show improvement in stringing words and sounds together after aquatic therapy.

Parents and caregivers often notice that their child is much more vocal or verbal and that their child’s speech therapist is reporting increased progress with oral motor skills that relate to speech.

This makes sense as you often use your mouth to suck, lick and blow the water. During aquatic therapy, the muscles surrounding your rib cage are working against the resistance of the viscosity of the water, strengthening your ability for deeper breathing patterns. Working to blow bubbles helps with controlled airflow for speech.

Positive Impact on Water Safety Skills

Did you know that drowning is the leading cause of death for children with Autism? Children who experience aquatic therapy are not only getting the therapy they need, but are also learning crucial water safety skills. During our aquatic therapy sessions, children and families are also taught critical rituals and routines for entering any body of water, which helps avoid potentially risky situations.

The properties of the water along with specific handling techniques by your pediatric aquatic therapist can prove to be a magical recipe for improvements in self-regulation, motor control and water safety.  Sign me up!

Positive Impact on Water Safety Skills
Looking for Aquatic Therapist Training?

We can give you the tools you need to help special needs clients achieve therapy goals and improve their independence in the water.

Learn new treatment and handling techniques, understand how to integrate reflexes and overcome roadblocks to help your pediatric clients achieve their therapy goals. We have 4 in-depth online courses to choose from.

Our online training courses will help you strengthen your aquatic therapy skills and allow you to earn CEU’s. Our on-demand platform makes learning flexible to fit into your schedule.

Dive into Our Specialized Pediatric Aquatic Therapy Program!

The unique program that Swim Angelfish offers is created by an OT/PT team with over 60 years combined experience. We have experienced Recreation, Occupational, and Physical therapists who are specifically trained in pediatric aquatic therapy. We use a fun, innovative and multi-sensory approach using the therapeutic properties of the water to reach your specific therapy goals.

We can help improve self-regulation, motor coordination, strength, balance, endurance, and more. There are several options for therapy sessions depending on your needs, including private, semi-private, and small group sessions.

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.”