Rebound
Rebound Therapy is the use of the Trampoline to provide controlled movement initially provided by the Operator (trained staff in the techniques and benefits of trampolining). All children at Broadmeadow have access to Therapy unless deemed medically unsuitable.
All children have an IEP which include areas for development and could include Communication targets, Physical aims, or Sensory needs.
Benefits of Rebound Therapy
- Cardio-respiratory: The constant muscle work required, maintaining position and balance, increases the demand for oxygen.
- Muscle tone: in simplistic terms, trampolining generally causes an increase in postural muscle tone
- Postural: Stimulating by bombarding the sensory systems through joints, muscle and skin, can improve the output to the important postural muscles
- Balance: By creating a dynamic movement situation (challenging balance mechanisms), observable improvement can be achieved
- Kinaesthetic Awareness: Through stimulation of joints, pressure stretch receptors, skin, muscles etc., kinaesthetic awareness is improved. This leads to improved body image and spatial awareness.
- Movement: By creating a dynamic movement situation, protective and saving reactions can be developed. When creating low amplitude bouncing, relaxation is achieved.
- Perception: Body image, body part awareness, spatial awareness, coordination and positional sense are enhanced.
- Communication: Due to cardio-respiratory effects, vocalisation is increased. Eye contact and concentration are enhanced by the “focus effect”
How is Rebound therapy delivered at Broadmeadow?
All children at Broadmeadow have access to Therapy unless deemed medically unsuitable. Here at Broadmeadow, we follow the Winstrada programme which enables us to record and show pupil progression. Therapy is included in the weekly timetable with children having access at least once a week. Our aims:
- It is fun and motivational
- Incorporates cross-curricular learning as a meaningful, fun and exciting challenge
- Gives confidence in movement and improves physical fitness and skills
- Improves motor skills, body awareness, balance and co-ordination
- Promotes positive relationships and builds self-esteem, confidence and independence
- Increases eye contact and vocalisations
- Meets individual sensory needs