Infants and children are often characterized and diagnosed with physical neurological developmental delays, typically congenital, and additionally, in today’s advanced world, with emotional imbalances.
The Effect of the Aquatic Environment on the Child:
Numerous studies demonstrate the improvement experienced by infants and children with various issues mentioned above in an aquatic environment. Water has unique properties that enable effective and beneficial treatment: buoyancy allows working with the child on musculoskeletal issues without the interference of gravity found outside the water—buoyancy is the opposite force. Water temperature (34 degrees Celsius) allows working on high muscle tone (hypertonia). The warmth helps relax the muscles and enables easy opening of the joints without effort or pain for the child. Conversely, water resistance is much higher than air resistance, which allows working on muscle weakness—hypotonia (strengthening the shoulder girdle is very common). Using the center of gravity (center of mass)—the center of gravity changes according to water depth and allows working on stability and balance. Working with children in water is done in a playful and gradual manner while assessing abilities. It varies from child to child and is adapted in an organized treatment plan by achieving set goals.
Ten Points in Working in Water:
There are 10 points that the therapist works according to and progresses with the child to achieve complete independence in water—a therapeutic approach called Halliwick.
The first points relate to the therapist’s holds on the child, submerging the head in water, and blowing bubbles, which enables “breathing” underwater.
The following points relate to orientation in water—understanding that certain movements will lead to specific rotations of the body. For example: when you lie on your back in water and lift a limb (hand, leg),
you see how the body rotates without your full control over the body. These points are also used to work on strengthening one side of the body.
Additional points relate to controlling stability and balance against disruptive forces such as turbulence, waves, etc.
All ten points build independence in water and coping with situations that help and balance deficiencies in the child’s daily life.
Games in water are adapted to specific needs and tailored to the treatment plan: emotional, functional, and verbal work.
It is possible to start at a very young age (above 3 months), and pool therapy allows advancing the child’s development and achieving therapeutic goals faster and in a fun and experiential way for the child.
