Aquatic Athletics for High Motor Functioning Children & Adolescents With Disabilities 2021

Aquatic Athletics for High Motor Functioning Children & Adolescents With Disabilities is organized by Texas Children's Hospital and will be held from Aug 07 - 08, 2021 at The Blue Lagune Therapy, Katy, Texas, United States of America.

Target Audience:
• PTs
• PTAs

Accreditation: 
14 contact hours or CCU's through TOTA.

Description:
Aquatic therapy is an ideal treatment choice for high motor functioning children and adolescents with disabilities to allow them to achieve the appropriate high intensity required to progress in their mobility and gross motor skills. Childhood obesity is one of the most critical and accelerating health challenges. This course will discuss the correlation between obesity and children with disabilities, as well as explore current research on childhood obesity in special needs populations, including Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and Autism. Benefits of the aquatic medium as an ideal intervention to address pediatric and adolescent obesity, especially for those with disabilities, to promote sustainability of healthy lifestyles and reduce risk of secondary conditions will be explored. This course will include 50% direct pool lab time to learn and practice aquatic activities, exercises, and techniques to address these populations, including: shallow water strength training, deep water drills, Yoga, and Pilates, along with aquatic techniques to improve respiratory functioning and endurance, and increase activation of pelvic floor muscles for improved postural control.

Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
• Describe why aquatic therapy is an ideal treatment choice for children and young adults with special abilities with a specific focus on individuals with obesity and deconditioning, and including children with Cerebral Palsy.
• Gain a better understanding of the respiratory system and the pelvic flor and their critical role in core stabilization, postural control, and endurance.
• Design shallow and deep water workouts incorporating yoga, Pilates, deep water drills, and shallow water strength training.
• Assess and facilitate improved respiratory functioning and endurance and increased activation of pelvic floor muscles by implementing direct aquatic therapy techniques and utilizing the properties of water.