The Use of Aquatics with Cerebral Palsied Adolescents

This article demonstrates the use of adaptive aquatics in an occupational therapy treatment program for a physically disabled adolescent. Included are developmental issues as they relate to the handicapped adolescent population, the concept of purposeful activity in occupational therapy, the choice of swimming as an activity for treatment, activity analysis for treatment planning, and an interdisciplinary approach to treatment. A single case study was used to exemplify the use of swimming as a purposeful activity. Therapeutic implications of the program are discussed.