Adapted Therapies

Dolphin Assist Therapy
Dolphin assist therapy is growing rapidly and is a wonderful tool for encouraging motor development, social skills, improvements in tone, independence, speech and language skills and fun! The Dolphin Research Center, a non-profit research facility in the Florida Keys is one of the most highly respected education and research facilities in the world. Thousands of people visit each year to learn about their family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions and to take part in a variety of educational interactive programs. Dolphin Child Therapy is a week long therapeutic program for children with medical conditions, emotional concerns or disabilities that includes goal-oriented dolphin interactions. The Special Needs Recreational Program assists individuals with physical or mental challenges, chronic or life-threatening illnesses to participate in any of the dolphin interactive programs through private workshops, specialized equipment and in-water or on the docks assistance. For more information, visit their website www.dolphins.org or call 305-289-1121. Other Dolphin Assist programs: www.islanddolphincare.org

Hippotherapy
Across the country, many individuals are participating in equine-facilitated activities. For individuals with disabilities, time spent on a horse can improve tone, gait, motor skills, speech and language development, balance and more. Many facilities exist that are ready to work with your children. To find a center near you try these links:

American Hippotherapy Association: www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org
North American Riding for the Handicapped Association: NARHA@NARHA.ORG

Adapted Sailing
Sailing for persons with severe disabilities is a relatively new concept. Yet it does exist and if you were to ask the sailors, well, all they could say would be " ships ahoy!". For more information on adapted sailing programs try these contacts:

Sailors With Special Needs Committee: maximeye@comcast.net
EASE: eriesailing@hotmail.com
SAIL: infro@sail-s.com

Adapted Scuba Programs
Adapted Scuba Programs are popping up all over the country. The benefits are limitless, just ask the divers! Benefits include improvements in range of motion; self-esteem; sleep; family participation; ability to explore new positions; full body traction; non-weight bearing environment; three-dimensional motion and, needless to say, fun! For more information visit these websites: www.padi.com; www.hsascuba.com.