Developing and Implementing a Community-Based Adapted Aquatics Program

1. Developing and Implementing a Community-Based Adapted Aquatics Program 2013 AAHPERD Convention Charlotte, NC David G. Lorenzi, Ed.D, CAPE

2. What is Adapted Aquatics? • Adaptations to: Instruction, equipment, strategies, strokes, swim skills, games, recreational skills, water safety skills, and access to swimming instruction and recreation for individuals with disabilities. (See AAHPERD Council for Aquatic Professionals Adapted Aquatics Position Paper)

3. Why Adapted Aquatics? • People enjoy being in water • Individuals with disabilities can often do more in water than on land • Buoyancy of water fosters independence • Develops lifelong skills and fosters feelings of accomplishment/self-worth • Therapeutic pools (88-92 degrees) can help to relieve pain and promote relaxation and mobility • Reeducation of paralyzed muscles • Improved levels of health-related physical fitness • Stimulates the sensory system

4. Legal Basis for Adapted Aquatics • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) • Defines physical education, including aquatics • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) • Antidiscrimination • Accessibility

5. What Types of Disabilities? • Intellectual Disabilities • Autism Spectrum Disorder • Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities • Learning Disabilities • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) • Traumatic Brain Injury • Stroke • Spinal Cord Injury • Spina Bifida • Cerebral Palsy • Amputations • Muscular Dystrophy • Visual Impairments

6. Staff Training • The Adapted Aquatics Specialty Committee of the American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR) Council for Aquatic Professionals sponsors credentialing courses to designed to improve the knowledge and skills of aquatic instructors in the deliver of service to individuals with disabilities. These courses are designed for individuals who want to be better prepared to teach swimming and aquatic safety to individuals with disabilities.

7. Adapted Aquatics Credentialing • Adapted Aquatics Assistant • Adapted Aquatics Adjunct • Adapted Aquatics Instructor • Master Teacher of Adapted Aquatics • Adapted Aquatics Faculty

8. Adapted Aquatics Assistant (AAA) • Prepares individuals to work in adapted aquatics under the supervision of an Adapted Aquatics Instructor. • Prerequisites: • Minimum of 14 years of age • Pass a swim test at the Intermediate Level 3 • Strength sufficient to assist individuals with disabilities

9. Adapted Aquatics Adjunct (AAAdj) • Prepares professionals working with individuals with disabilities to work in adapted aquatics under the supervision of an Adapted Aquatics Instructor. It includes the same course materials, exam, and practicum experiences as the Adapted Aquatics Instructor course. • Prerequisites: • Minimum of 18 years of age • Current CPR certification (including infant, child, adult) • Current First-Aid certification • Degree in special education, adapted physical education, therapeutic recreation, or occupational therapy • Pass a swim test at the Intermediate Level 3 • Strength sufficient to assist individuals with disabilities

10. Adapted Aquatics Instructor (AAI) • Provides currently certified aquatic instructors with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes to safely and effectively implement quality adapted aquatics programs to individuals with disabilities in a variety of settings. • Pre-requisites: • Minimum of 18 years of age • Current CPR certification (including infant, child, adult) • Current First-Aid certification • Current instructor certification in instructional swimming from a national agency (ex. ARC WSI, YMCA Instructor) • Strength sufficient to assist individuals with disabilities • Current AED certification

11. Master Teacher of Adapted Aquatics (MTAA) • Prepares current Adapted Aquatics Instructors to teach the Adapted Aquatics Instructor course. This credential requires acceptance/review of the instructor’s resume/teaching experience and acceptance into and successful completion of the Master Teacher of Adapted Aquatics workshop. This course is offered on a limited basis, usually in conjunction with an AAHPERD district or national convention; however, in special circumstances, a Master Teacher of Adapted Aquatics workshop may be offered outside of an AAHPERD convention. Soon to be available online.

12. Materials for Adapted Aquatics Courses Lepore, M., Gayle, G.W., & Stevens, S. (2007). Adapted Aquatics Programming: A Professional Guide. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishers. Video: Introduction to Adapted Aquatics by Monica Lepore, Ed.D, CAPE

13. OTHER AVENUES & RESOURCES FOR FURTHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT • College courses in adapted physical education and therapeutic recreation • Physical and occupational therapy associations aquatic sections • Visit other professionals and their programs • AAPAR and also NTRS aquatic councils

14. Components Of An Effective Adapted Aquatics Program • Assessment • Written Goals And Objectives • Plan To Meet Goals And Objectives • Program Evaluation • Risk Management

15. KNOWLEDGE OF PLACEMENT OPTIONS • Determine where the goals will be carried out. • Is there a matching class? • Is there enough support for the person to be able to meet their goals in that class?

16. Assessment • Provides a snap-shot of present level of performance. • Used to make a placement decision. • Sample aquatic assessments.

17. WHAT SETTINGIS THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT (LRE)?

18. THE SETTING/CLASS WHERE THEY ARE SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL • That is as close to general aquatics class as possible: start in general class, move to own group when needed

19. INCLUSION • We need to look at the class they will be included into, • Ask parents for hints, • Use your professional judgment, • Ascertain what safety issues you see, • Select appropriate equipment to use, • Hire an assistant, & try the person out in the class

20. INCLUSION STRATEGIES: ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS • Is your facility accessible? • Are facilities safe? Does it facilitate instruction? • Is the water or air too cold? • Is there too much going on in the pool/noise? • Is there enough room for teachers, assistants, participants and equipment?

21. Is the student’s placement based on assessment results? Is the student meeting individual goals or goals of the class? Are the activities developmental and age appropriate? Does the person have pre-requisite skills to be successful? INCLUSION STRATEGIES: PROGRAMMING CONCERNS

22. Versus Age appropriateness in aquatics… INCLUSION STRATEGIES: ARE THE TASKS DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE AND AGE APPROPRIATE? Developmental appropriateness in aquatics…

23. Questions to ask before selecting and using equipment… • What are you trying to accomplish? • Will equipment facilitate the movement or position you desire? If yes…

24. When and why use equipment? • Will the participant get too dependant on the equipment? • Is the equipment designed for your use or are you ‘adapting’? If so, is it safe? Will it tip or cause injury? Will it cause problems with ‘recovery’?

25. INCLUSION STRATEGIES: EQUIPMENT

26. Teaching Strategies/Equipment • Fun, bright color, tactile equipment works wonders!

27. INCLUSION STRATEGIES: ALTER THE SIZE OF THE GROUP LOOK AT TEACHER STUDENT RATIOS

28. What to Teach? • Several model programs: • American Red Cross • YMCA • Special Olympics What modifications might be necessary?

29. Marketing • Who will you market to in your community? • What groups and organizations might be interested in an adapted aquatics program? • How will you market your adapted aquatics program?

30. Challenges • Staff Training • Marketing • Multiuse Facilities • Placement Options • Medical history/contraindicated activities

31. Questions?Comments?Discussion?

32. Contact Information David G. Lorenzi, Ed.D, CAPE Associate Professor Director of the Special Needs Activity Program Coordinator of the Undergraduate Teacher Education Program Department of Health and Physical Education Indiana University of Pennsylvania 1190 Maple Street; 239 Zink Hall Indiana, PA 15705-1059 (724) 357-4415-office (724) 357-3777-fax David.Lorenzi@iup.edu