Pediatric Aquatics for the Child With a Neuro-Motor
Disorder: Principles and Precautions

Presented by Kathleen (Kiki) Dickinson

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Video Runtime: 59 Minutes, Learning Assessments: 15 Minutes

Why is aquatic therapy such a beneficial medium to treat the child with a neuromuscular disorder and what are the specific precautions and contraindications? This course will review water principles and how they positively impact successful physical therapy treatments via lecture and a pool lab component. A multitude of impairments appropriate to be treated in the aquatic medium will be reviewed, including poor head and/or trunk control, impaired balance/coordination, weakness, decreased range of motion, and poor endurance. This course will include demonstrations of aquatic therapy treatment techniques that focus on each specific impairment. Participants will gain knowledge of the benefits of aquatic therapy, precautions/contraindications, impairments appropriate to be treated in the aquatic medium, and specific aquatic techniques to address a variety of neuro-motor impairments.

Meet your instructor

Smiling person with curly hair in a navy blue top and necklace on a white background for Medbridge.

Kathleen (Kiki) Dickinson

Kiki has over 30 years of experience as a physical therapist at St. Croix Therapy (Therapeutic Services for Children and Adults) in Hudson, Wisconsin, serving both pediatric and adult clients. Her caseload spans the birth-to-three early intervention population, children with complex neurological conditions, and adults with…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Water Principles' Impact on Physical and Occupational Therapy

1. Water Principles' Impact on Physical and Occupational Therapy

This chapter will review water principles' and how they positively impact successful physical therapy treatments for children with a neuromuscular disorder. It is important to be knowledgeable about how the water principles directly and positively impact treatment sessions.

Aquatic Precautions and Contraindications

2. Aquatic Precautions and Contraindications

This chapter will discuss specific precautions and contraindications related to the pediatric client. It is important to be fully aware of the precautions and contraindications in order to provide a safe environment for your client.