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We recognise that therapy is best when provided in natural environments, such as homes, educational settings and within the community. ODEEP have partnered with Orange Aquatic Centre to provide community based aquatic therapy or “aqua therapy”.

Our aquatic therapy sessions are therapy within the water environment provided by qualified therapists working towards your child’s individual goals. Each 1 on 1 session is unique and carefully curated to meet your child’s needs.

 

Aqua therapy can assist a child to meet the following goals:

• Improve gross and fine motor skills – Therapy in the water environment builds strength, balance and coordination which assists with the development of walking, running, climbing and participation in meaningful activities. Fine motor skills are practiced with the use of squeezy toys and sinkies. 

• Expand communication and social skills – 1 on 1 sessions build skills assist the child to express their wants and needs, follow instructions and build on social skills such as turn taking and joint attention.

• Learn social skills to participate in meaningful activities within their community – the use of visuals and explicit teaching within the aqua environment help children to follow safety instructions. 

 

All our aqua therapists are Allied Health professionals with current membership of their respective professional bodies (for example AHPRA), and in addition to this, all aqua therapists are AustSwim Instructor accredited, many with additional training such as Autism Swim and Puggles.

 

NDIS funding

Our team uses your child’s NDIS plan goals to design sessions that are purposeful and aligned with their developmental needs.

Aqua therapy may be funded through your plan using “Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living” and will be allocated under your therapist’s discipline (for example, speech pathologist or physiotherapist).

We provide progress notes, goal tracking, and collaborative planning to ensure your child’s therapy remains effective and family‑centred.

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What to Expect in a Session

Each session is delivered by qualified allied health therapists experienced in aquatic intervention. We focus on:

• Play‑based, child‑led activities

• Safe, supportive handling techniques

• Parent and caregiver involvement

• Gradual skill development at your child’s pace

• Parent capacity building

Sessions take place in the Orange Aquatic centre in varying depths depending on your child’s needs.

 

Who Can Benefit?

Aqua therapy can be helpful for children with:

• Developmental delay

• Autism

• Cerebral palsy

• Sensory processing differences

• Low muscle tone

• Motor coordination challenges

• Anxiety or confidence difficulties

If you’re unsure whether aqua therapy is right for your child, our team is happy to guide you.

 

A Supportive, Family‑Centred Approach

We believe therapy should feel joyful, empowering, and connected to everyday life. Aqua therapy gives children a chance to learn through movement and play while families receive practical strategies they can use beyond the pool.