Therapy in the Community
Therapy Opportunities Outside the Clinic!
In addition to our primary Waipio clinic, Sprouts Therapy utilizes various community settings to offer Speech, Occupational, Feeding and Physical Therapy. Current settings include: Private Pool (Hawaii Kai), Private Pool (Kahala), and Home (various locations on Oahu).
*Please note all settings have limited availability, if you are interested in one of these settings, please contact our admin team and we will add you to the waitlist*
Therapy at the Pool!
Water offers five key qualities that make it an ideal setting for pediatric therapy: buoyancy, viscosity, hydrostatic pressure, warmth, and fun!
- Buoyancy, which is the upward force exerted by water, reduces joint stress and enhances balance and core stability. It lessens the fear of falling, encouraging children to work against the water's force to stay upright. Additionally, it supports floatation activities used for relaxation in order to decrease muscle tone and improve joint range of motion.
- Viscosity refers to how water molecules stick together, creating natural resistance that strengthens core and limb muscles. This resistance also enhances cardiovascular endurance. Adjusting movement speed in water alters the resistance, allowing control over the activity intensity.
- Hydrostatic pressure, the force water applies to a submerged body, offers a comforting 'squeeze' effect, helping individuals to tune out outside stimuli and feel more secure. It's particularly beneficial for children with sensory processing disorders, and aids in circulation enhancement as the body moves through water.
- Warm water temperature aids in relaxing muscle tone and minimizing involuntary movements that could hinder progress in a land-based therapy setup. It also boosts circulation by dilating blood vessels.
- And let's not forget—the pool is just plain fun! It's a joyful space for play, learning, and movement, making therapy a blast!
Pool Session Information
Required Attire
- Bring your child to their session in their swimsuit with a towel and water bottle.
- Hawaii Kai and Kahala location: We kindly ask that all pool clients utilize a different swimsuit in the pool than they do in the ocean in order to prevent the growth of algae in the pool
- Have your child use the restroom prior to arrival.
- Sunscreen should be worn while in therapy and be applied at least 15 minutes before the session's start time.
- Please inform your child's therapist if they are not yet potty-trained in-pool. Keiki who are not potty-trained should come wearing a non-disposable swimmer diaper.
- Siblings are not permitted in the pool during therapy sessions.
Pick-up and Drop-Off Policies:
- Hawaii Kai location: Clients are asked to park along the fence on Keka'a Street, located on the side of the residential property. Upon arrival, please walk in the front gate, walk on the grass around the corner.
- Kahala location: Clients may utilize street or driveway parking. Upon arrival please walk in the front gate on the right of the driveway and follow the path to the pool.
- Parents can drop-off and pick-up their child for their sessions, or wait in the waiting area around the pool. If you opt to drop your child off, similarly to our in-clinic protocols, parents will need to return to the pool 10 minutes prior to end time of therapy to pick up their child from their session (kindly note the therapists will be in the pool, which is why we ask parents to return poolside vs. wait in their car). We also ask that you stay within a reasonable distance from the therapy location should the need arise for you to return to the pool prior to pick-up time.
Therapy at Home!
A child's home represents their natural environment—a space where they engage in daily routines and activities crucial to them and their family. It's a familiar setting where exploration and learning occur effortlessly.
When a therapist visits a child's home, the adjustment is minimal—the child encounters a friendly presence in a familiar space. This quick adaptation lets the therapist witness the child's most relaxed and natural self, aiding in an accurate assessment of their abilities.
Working in the home environment allows the therapist to address functional goals using the child's furniture, toys, and equipment. It also enables the therapist to devise activities and home programs using readily available items.
Home Health may be available upon request based on therapist availability in your area.