A Physiotherapist in Praise of AQUATOTS

Kristin Eales, a physiotherapist, who did the AQUATOTS instructor course last year with the aim of adapting it for use in her hydrotherapy sessions for disabled children at the Baby Therapy Centre in Pretoria, wrote to say she was 'in for a big surprise.' She said it was not long before she realized that AQUATOTS needs no adapting - AQUATOTS is therapy.

She went on to say that she has run four courses with babies with varying degrees of disability: some low muscle tone children, some with spasticity, also one physically as well as mentally disabled child. She was amazed again and again at the therapeutic value of AQUATOTS and the influence on the development of the children. She cites two particular cases. The mother of ten month old Jessica says the surge in Jessica's development is all just too fast and sudden to not be due to AQUATOTS.? Kristin attributes the surge to the leverage exercises. The second is what Kristin says is 'the most radical example'. For Jayden, a fourteen month old with a spastic right side, the progress from a passive to a highly active toddler was ascribed directly to AQUATOTS by her parents.

Kristin concludes that though her case studies are not scientific, her experience definitely supports the results of much quoted research that infant swimming enhances normal development. She thanks me, and I quote her directly, 'for opening a new fun-filled and non-threatening door to therapy.' I thank Kristin. I believe she is keeping the fun-filled and non-threatening door wide open for all posterity.

N.B. The letter from Kristin Eales prompted the special Upgrade for therapists in Pretoria on Saturday 26 August 1999. It has also given AQUATOTS a boost from the paediatric side. AQUATOTS is not just any way of teaching infants to swim. AQUATOTS is a comprehensive and multi disciplined way of teaching infants to swim.