"Connecting the Dots" by Melissa Sutton- Adapted Aquatics Conference 2012
1.
2. Noted by her Therapists
•Increased Large Muscle Group
Strength
•Increased Core Strength &
Stability
•Decreased Rigidity
•Increased Vocabulary
Noted by Parents/Caregivers
•More Calm
(She stopped pulling my hai r – Yea!)
•Increased Happiness
•Increased Trust
3. • Increased Large Muscle Group Strength
• Increased Core Strength & Stability
* VISCOSITY OF THE WATER
• ARMS = “Reach up; Hold on”
• LEGS = “Push Down; Stand Up”
• Decreased Rigidity
* TEMPERATURE OF THE WATER
* FIRM PRESSURE
• Increased Vocabulary
* VESTIBULAR SYSTEM – ACTIVATES FRONTAL LOBES
* TACTILE
•More Calm, Increased Happiness & Trust
* HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE OF THE WATER
* FIRM PRESSURE
4. Not thought to ever happen
… and have since swimming:
•Talking
•Dressing/Undressing self OTHER PLUSES…
•Enjoying water •Increased self confidence
•Jumping in the water •Tries new things
•Floating •Increased Independence
•Following directions near water •Better ability to deal with situation
changes
5. •Talking
* VESTIBULAR SYSTEM – ACTIVATES FRONTAL LOBES
* TACTILE
•Dressing and Undressing
* MOTOR PLANNING
•Complex sensory integration because it requires so much
focus and concentration
* TACTILE
•VESTIBULAR
* PROPRIOCEPTIVE
7. • Body Awareness
* VESTIBULAR SYSTEM – ACTIVATES VESTIBULAR NERVE
* PROPRIOCEPTION
• Learning Strokes
* MOTOR PLANNING
•Complex sensory integration because it requires so much focus and
concentration
* TACTILE
•VESTIBULAR
* PROPRIOCEPTIVE
• Following Directions
* AUDITORY PROCESSING
• Aided by spinning (VESIBULAR)
• Climbing out (heavy sensory input to joints (PROPRIOCEPTION)
9. • Learning Strokes
* MOTOR PLANNING
•Complex sensory integration because it requires so much focus and
concentration
* TACTILE
•VESTIBULAR
* PROPRIOCEPTIVE
• Verbalize Needs, Wants and Fears
•VESTIBULAR SYSTEM – ACTIVATES FRONTAL LOBES
* TACTILE
• Negotiation Skills
* VESTIBULAR SYSTEM – ACTIVATES PREFRONTAL CORTEX
• Reasoning, judgement, high level thinking
10. • Extremely giving • Muscle Improvement
• Outgoing • Unable to do basic life skills
• Started very firghtened • Increased ability to Motor Plan
11. • Learning Strokes
* MOTOR PLANNING
•Complex sensory integration because it requires so much focus and
concentration
* TACTILE
•VESTIBULAR
* PROPRIOCEPTIVE
• Increased Large Muscle Group Strength
* VISCOSITY OF THE WATER
12. • Processing &
Memory Issues
• Enhanced
Cognitive Abilities
• Transcended
Gross Motor Areas
13. • Processing & Memory Issues
* MOVEMENT!
•Bilateral Cross Patterning
• Enhanced Cognitive Abilities
•VESTIBULAR MOVEMENT
•Organizes Nervous System
•BILATERAL CROSS PATTERNING MOVEMENTS
• Increased Large Muscle Group Strength
* VISCOSITY OF THE WATER
14. • Body Awareness • Motor Planning
• Increased Muscle Tone •Balance & Coordination
15.
16. •Learning Skills
* MOTOR PLANNING
•Complex sensory integration because it requires so much focus and
concentration
* TACTILE
* VESTIBULAR
* PROPRIOCEPTIVE
• Increased Large Muscle Group Strength
* VISCOSITY OF THE WATER
•ARMS = “Reach up; Hold on” (Pool deck)
• LEGS = “Push Down; Stand Up” (Stairs)
CROSS-TRAIN!
•ARMS = “Reach up; Hold on” (High bar & Rings)
•Balance & Coordination
* VESTIBULAR
• Activates Cerebellum
* PROPRIOCEPTION
• Crab walks on parallel bars
17. • Body Awareness
* VESTIBULAR
• Activates Cerebellum
•Somersaults
* PROPRIOCEPTION
• Crab walks on parallel bars
Something to Note:
Two parents specifically mentioned their
child’s ability or increased ability to ride a
bike. Both never thought this to be possible
and attribute it to their work with us in
conjunction with their child’s other therapies.
(Pedaling, steering and breaking)