Early Childhood Intervention Services for Children with Disabilities

Tamara Steph is seen working with a down syndrome child, Melissa from Stratford.  Water is a fun and engaging environment in which Melissa with special needs can move more freely. The physical properties of water allow for decreased apparent weight, increased support, increased time for movements, and resistance for strengthening.  Tamara also uses water therapy as a social tool to help encourage Melissa who is one and a half years old to promote speech as seen here using a straw to use the muscles in and around her mouth. Tamara Steph is part of Region 16 Early Childhood Intervention Services.  Tamara and Melissa are utilizing the pool at the YMCA of Moore County which they do once a week for one hour.  Tamara Steph is a physical therapist for Region 16 and works with special needs children ages birth to three years of age.

Here are some reasons that water therapy is good not only for children such as Melissa but for everyone regardless of age that land based therapy may not provide:

Buoyancy- Provides assistance and support. It is used to decrease gravitational forces placed on weak limbs that are unable to bear much weight. Buoyancy allows a person to move more easily with decreased stress on muscles, joints, and bones.

Heat- Aquatic therapy is provided in a heated pool. The warm water relaxes muscles and allows for improved joint range of motion.
Hydrostatic pressure- The water surrounding the body helps circulate blood from the legs to the heart, often reducing any swelling in the ankles and feet. Once swelling is reduced, joint tenderness can decreases and range of motion can increase.
Resistance - Allows for improvement in balance and strengthening in all muscle directions. On land, resistance is felt in only one direction (that of gravity), which leads to an over development of some muscles and under utilization of others. Resistance also increases sensory awareness.

The YMCA of Moore County is so much more than a workout place.  It has been meeting the needs of our community since 1959 and it is still re-inventing itself to meet the needs in 2010.  All of this would not be possible without United Way funding for general expenses such as chemicals for the pool, utilities to provide the heat and so much more.