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ADAPTIVE AQUATICS AT CHILDREN'S CARE

POSTED: JUL 10, 2008

Adaptive Aquatics

For many years Children's Care Hospital & School has offered Adaptive Aquatics, a unique program that allows children with special needs to safely enjoy the water. This program is provided year-round in the heated, indoor pool at the main Children's Care location at 2501 West 26th Street in Sioux Falls.

When a child is involved in Adaptive Aquatics, the possibilities are endless. Each child has individual goals that adapt to his or her needs. The benefits of this program can be as small as getting a child to put her face in the water, to as big as preparing for total independence in the water.  The program is available for youngsters from toddlerhood through age 21.

Aquatics professionals teach basic water proficiencies, but also incorporate educational and social skills. Students learn to dive underwater by identifying a weighted and colored number to pick up and bring to the side. In doing this we incorporate number identification, as well as counting and color recognition, into their lesson. Our students also learn the importance of communication by following directions and taking turns while playing games and doing various activities.

Physical fitness is a very important benefit of Adaptive Aquatics. We include endurance swimming and different strength concepts to help increase heart rate and make swimming a fun and healthy experience that can be a lifelong activity.

The Adaptive Aquatics program at Children's Care has certified and trained instructors along with special equipment to meet all the needs of our students. We work with the parents, therapists, and doctors to make sure the child is getting the most out of his or her aquatics experience. We provide water therapy for many students, including range of motion exercises, stretching, and strength and balance building. Other goals of water therapy are to decrease muscle and joint pain and to improve dexterity and fine motor skills.

Adaptive Aquatics is a fun and beneficial program that is continually growing. Children's Care is constantly finding new equipment and teaching techniques to provide the optimal experience for children of all needs.

The Children's Care Hospital & School Foundation continually seeks donations from individuals and foundations to provide partial and full scholarships to children and families in need of financial assistance for the adaptive aquatics program.

 If you could benefit from this opportunity, please complete the Scholarship for Adaptive Aquatics Program application and submit by August 15, December 19, or April 25 to be considered for a scholarship in the 2008-09 aquatics year. Scholarship awards will be based on the criteria of diagnosis, financial need, distance to Children's Care, and the number of siblings wanting to participate in lessons. Scholarship funds are limited and are available for one year. Please mail completed application to:  Children's Care Foundation, 2501 W. 26th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57105-2498 or fax to (605)782-2417.

Adaptive Aquatics


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