Aquatic therapy

 

How Aquatic Therapy Works at Novita

At Novita, aquatic therapy is offered in blocks of weekly sessions (5 or 10 week blocks), during school terms. This frequency aligns with best practice as we know that repetition and consistency is needed for learning and skill development.     

Before you start aquatic therapy we will speak to you about your goals and complete a pre-assessment, so that we can design a program that best suits your needs and supports you to achieve your goals. Following each block of acquaitc therapy you complete, we will conduct a review and speak to you about your next steps. 

There are multiple options available, including 1:1 (individual) and group programs. These are held at a range of sites around metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia.   

More information 

If you would like information on aquatic therapy or free advice, speak to someone in our friendly team on 1300 NOVITA (1300 668 482) or visit our Contact Us page for more ways to get in touch.

Individual (1:1) aquatic therapy

Individual aquatic therapy provides opportunities for children and young people to improve their movement skills, manage sensory behaviours, and develop swimming and water safety skills.

Our individual aquatic therapy program is a 1:1 with your child and one of our therapists. These 30-minute sessions run on Saturdays between 8.15am – 12.15pm at our Hydrotherapy Pool in Welland. Spots available so call us on 1300 668 482 or Contact Us to book!

 

Baby and Toddlers

Tadpoles – Early learning program

A fun and interactive group for children aged up to 4 years old.

Parents/carers will be supported to learn how to use water based activities to support the development of their child’s movement skills. These activities also include opportunities to practice communication, play and social skills in the water.

The group is led by aquatic therapists (Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, and/or Speech Pathologist)

 

Preschool and school age

Octopus – Individual sensory motor program

This program is for children with Autism and other sensory disorders where the child’s goals are more related to their sensory behaviours.

An experienced therapist uses a sensory motor approach to improve a child’s ability to interpret and use sensory input. The sensory properties of the aquatic environment are ideal for this approach.

Starfish – Individual motor skill development

Starfish is for children with delayed or limited movement skills whose goals are related to development of movement skills

Exercise in water is fun for all children and for those children with delayed or limited movement skills it provides a great medium to work in to achieve mobility goals. An experienced therapist uses the properties of water to work towards the development of movement skills and introduce water safety skills.

Sea Dragons – Individual therapeutic therapy program

Sea dragons is for kids, adolescents and young adults with significant limitations of movement

For the child, adolescent and young adults with a physical disability and/or limited ability to move, being in the water provides them with greater freedom of movement that they may not otherwise have. This individual aquatic therapy program, led by an aquatic therapist, provides ongoing opportunities to continue to explore, improve and/or maintain movement abilities.  Freedom of movement in the water may also help to address pain and discomfort issues.

 

Working towards swimming

Dolphins – Group transition program, working towards swimming

Dolphins is for kids who want to transition to community-based swimming lessons.

Exercise in the water is fun with other children – this program supports children and adolescents to continue to develop and build on their mobility and water safety and introduce basic swimming skills.  This group will be led by an experienced therapist and/or allied health assistant.

Sea-Lions – Individual transition program, working towards swimming

Sea Lions is for kids whose goals are to learn to swim but do not yet have the ability to participate in community-based swimming lessons

An experienced therapist or swim instructor provides this transitional program.  The aim of this program is for the child to develop confidence and water skills to be ready to move onto swimming lessons.

ConnectABILITY – Connection to community swimming

ConnectABILITY is for children ready for community-based swimming programs and/or keen to be involved in competitive swimming. A recreation officer will work with children and young people to provide assistance to help find the most suitable community swim program for your child.

Pathways may range from your local swimming centre to competition swimming including classification to build our future Paralympians, school sport, local club events, state and national swimming events.

 

Call us on 1300 NOVITA (1300 668 482) to discuss which group would best suit your child.