Swim Lessons vs Aquatic Therapy2024-02-02T13:07:55-05:00

What is the difference between Adaptive Swim Lessons and Aquatic Therapy?

Aquatic Therapy and Adaptive Swim Lessons are both approaches that cater to individuals with disabilities or special needs, utilizing the unique properties of water to enhance their experiences and abilities. However, there are distinct differences between the two in terms of their focus and objectives.​

Angelfish Aquatic Therapy

  • Provided by specially trained Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists in Aquatic Therapy.
  • Strengthen core muscles.

  • Improve visual motor skills, balance, coordination, motor planning and independence with motor skills.

  • Sensory and reflex integration.

  • Safety and independence in the water as it pertains to therapy goals.

Aquatic Therapy harnesses the therapeutic qualities of water to facilitate progress toward specific therapy goals.

This approach is comprehensive, addressing various aspects such as motor planning, reflex integration, core strength, balance, self-regulation, and bilateral coordination. It is particularly beneficial for children with special needs, as the water’s buoyancy and resistance offer a supportive environment for enhancing physical and cognitive functions. ​

Adaptive Swim Lessons

  • Provided by specially trained Swim Whisperer® Swim Instructors.

  • Achieving swim skill benchmarks.

  • Independent swimming.

  • Increase comfort with going underwater.

  • Swim stroke progression.

  • Access, identify and implement strategies to overcome the roadblocks to swim success.

Adaptive Swim Lessons are designed exclusively to teach individuals with disabilities or special needs how to swim, enhance their swimming skills, and foster water safety awareness.

These lessons are customized to suit the requirements of each individual, providing a safe and encouraging environment for them to learn and enjoy swimming. Adaptive Swim Lessons play a crucial role in teaching essential life skills, building water confidence, as well as offering the numerous advantages gained from swimming. The focus here is more on skill acquisition and water comfort, rather than on therapeutic objectives.​

Choosing Aquatic Therapy or Adaptive Swim Lessons for Your Child

Both approaches provide valuable opportunities for growth and enrichment in a water-based environment. Let us help you decide which service is right for your child. Book a Service Assessment today or view our pricing details before making a decision.

What is a Service Assessment?

Provided by a Swim Angelfish trained and experienced aquatic therapist. The provider is a person who holds their professional credentials in OT, PT or Recreational Therapy.​

The service assessment consists of:​

  1. An intake phone call from the provider to discuss your goals​
  2. A 30-minute in water session ​
  3. A written assessment of findings​
  4. A recommendation of best plan of care

Aquatic Therapy vs Adaptive Swim Lesson FAQs

In this FAQ, we explain the differences that set Aquatic Therapy and Adaptive Swim Lessons apart. Explore this section to gain a better understanding of how these two approaches cater to distinct needs – from leveraging water’s therapeutic benefits for targeted goals in Aquatic Therapy, to fostering swimming skills, water safety, and confidence in a supportive environment through Adaptive Swim Lessons.​

What is the difference between Aquatic Therapy and Swim Lessons?2023-09-01T13:22:55-04:00

Aquatic Therapy uses the therapeutic properties of the water to assist in achieving therapy goals. We work on motor planning, reflex integration, core strength, balance, self-regulation and bilateral coordination.

Most children with special needs will benefit from aquatic therapy. The therapeutic qualities of water are a wonderful alternative to or can complement traditional therapies for a variety of diagnoses including Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and any sensory-motor challenges. In our blog Everything You Need to Know About Pediatric Aquatic Therapy we share some of the reasons why you might expand your child’s services to include Aquatic Occupational, Physical and Recreation Therapy.

Adaptive Swim Lessons are designed specifically for individuals with disabilities or special needs. Our Swim Whisperers swim lessons are tailored to meet the needs of each individual and aim to provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to learn how to swim, improve their swimming skills and gain water safety awareness.

Adaptive Swim lessons provide individuals with disabilities or special needs the opportunity to learn an essential skill, build confidence in the water, and enjoy the many benefits of swimming in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Adaptive Swim lessons are not Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy and cannot be billed to insurance.

How do I know which is better for my child – Aquatic Therapy or Adaptive Swim Lessons?2024-03-01T12:50:43-05:00

Sometimes the decision is not clear and you may need help from a Therapist to determine that. We have created a Swim Assessment, which is performed by an experienced therapist (who is also a swim instructor). They will work with your child for a 30 minute session and assess a checklist of skills to help you answer this question and better guide you in the next steps based on your goals. This assessment is not a therapy evaluation and is not able to be submitted to insurance.

My child has had swim lessons in the past and still cannot swim, should we do adaptive swim lessons or therapy?2024-03-01T12:52:27-05:00

To help determine your child’s needs, it may be beneficial to register for a service assessment so that our experienced therapists can assess and make an appropriate recommendation to help meet your goals.

Swim Whisperer Swim Lessons focus on addressing the underlying obstacle your swimmer is having in achieving swim skill benchmarks. The goal is safety, more independence in the water, and learning to swim.

Aquatic Therapy uses the therapeutic properties of the water to assist in achieving therapy goals. We work on motor planning, reflex integration, core strength, balance, self-regulation and bilateral coordination.

Will my child learn to swim in Aquatic Therapy?2023-09-01T13:25:40-04:00

We will not work on swim skill benchmarks or stroke mechanics in Aquatic Therapy as that is not the purpose.

Your child will, however, learn how to be safer and more independent in the water as it pertains to your therapy goals for independent balance, mobility and motor planning.

How long will my child need Aquatic Therapy? When can they start Adaptive Swim Lessons?2024-03-01T12:51:17-05:00

This is specific to your particular child and once their therapist feels that they are ready to take adaptive swim lessons.

Are your Therapists and Swim Instructors able to work with a swimmer that has a lot of sensory motor issues and anxiety?2023-09-01T13:27:44-04:00

Yes, our instructors are specially trained to overcome the underlying problem causing their anxiety.

Is Aquatic Therapy the same as Land-Based therapy?2023-09-05T11:47:08-04:00

Aquatic Therapy acts as a complementary or alternative method to traditional therapies for conditions like Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Sensory-Motor challenges. By leveraging water’s properties, individuals can work towards therapeutic goals in an environment that reduces the impact of gravity and supports their developmental needs.​

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