Our Services

Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic Therapy is defined as a “therapeutic procedure which improves function through the application of aquatic therapeutic exercise”. The aquatic environmental factors including temperature, density, buoyancy, pressure, resistance and reduced weight bearing all provide excellent opportunities for skill development, emotional regulation and developing independence. Occupational Therapy in the water can support clients in working towards their fine and gross motor skills, social and play skills as well as develop emotional regulation skills and reduce anxiety. Aquatic therapy also provides the opportunity to promote confidence and safety in and around the water through developing swimming and water safety skills.

Benefits:
  • Gross motor skills such as: strength, coordination, balance, range of motion, perceptual and spatial awareness, muscular and cardiovascular endurance.
  • Social and play skills such as: communication, initiation, eye-contact, social participation, turn taking.
  • Emotional regulation skills such as: understanding of emotions, regulation, relaxation and breathing techniques.
  • Sensory benefits such as: sensory regulation, sensory integration, and touch tolerance.
  • Psychological benefits such as: improved attention and concentration, improved mood, self esteem, confidence and body image, and decreased anxiety.
  • Swim skills such as: water safety, confidence in the water and ability to assess risk.

Surf Therapy

Surf Therapy is an organised program combining both surfing and structured activities to promote physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. Research shows Surf Therapy has the ability to support not only physical growth and rehabilitation, but has also demonstrated positive impacts on participants mental health and wellbeing.

The Splash Summer Surf Therapy Program is a three day program designed to support clients to not only develop their gross motor skills for surfing including balance, flexibility, core and upper body strength, and endurance. But also to support the development of ocean awareness, self-confidence, emotional and sensory regulation, and reduce anxiety through enjoying being outdoors and developing a connection to the ocean. The program includes three one hour 1:1 sessions over a three day period, as well as provide a program summary report to parents/caregivers after the completion of the program.

 Benefits:
  • Gross motor skills such as: strength, coordination, balance, range of motion, flexibility, muscular and cardiovascular endurance.
  • Social and play skills such as: communication, social and community participation.
  • Sensory regulation and integration.
  • Psychological benefits such as: improved mood, self-confidence, self esteem and body image, and decreased anxiety.
  • Swim skills such as: water safety, ocean awareness.
  • Please note: Summer programs are subject to availability. Please get in contact to discuss availability or let us know if you are interested in ongoing surf therapy sessions.

FAQs

What is Aquatic Therapy?

Aquatic Therapy utilises the unique properties of the aquatic environment to support clients in accessing therapy in a different way.
The aquatic environmental factors including temperature, density, buoyancy, pressure, resistance and reduced weight bearing all provide excellent opportunities for developing fine and gross motor skills, social and play skills, promoting independence, building emotional regulation skills and reducing anxiety. Aquatic Therapy also provides an opportunity to promote confidence and safety in and around the water through building swimming and water safety skills.

Is Aquatic Therapy like swimming lessons?

Aquatic Therapy is more than just a swimming lesson. Aquatic Therapy may involve working on swimming skills, however this is to support the broader clients goals, for example, increased gross motor coordination, flexibility, strength and endurance, community participation and access to swimming emotional regulation through positive sensory engagement with the water, risk management and safety around the water, and much more.

What are the benefits of Aquatic Therapy?
  • Gross motor skills; strength, coordination, balance, range of motion, perceptual and spatial awareness, muscular and cardiovascular endurance.
  • Social and play skills: communication, initiation, eye-contact, social participation.
  • Emotional regulation skills.
  • Sensory regulation and touch tolerance.
  • Psychological benefits of aquatic activities include improved mood, self esteem and body image, and decreased anxiety.
  • Attention and Concentration.
  • Increased self confidence.
  • Swim skills, water safety and comfort in the water.
Do I still need to work with a land based OT?

Aquatic Therapy focuses on developing the foundational skills required to engage in many activities of daily living, for example, emotional and sensory regulation, persistence, concentration, following instructions, personal safety skills, core stability, endurance and body awareness. However, it is still important to work with your regular Occupational Therapist for targeting specific independent living skills such as, toileting, dressing, feeding, personal hygiene and handwriting.