Aquatic Therapy for OT: Techniques & Best Practices

Available on demand | 3.0 contact hrs | On-demand recorded webinar + distance learning module.

Description: This course examines aquatic therapy techniques and best practices commonly applied within occupational therapy practice, with emphasis on functional outcomes and participation-based goals. Content focuses on how aquatic environments can be used to address mobility, self-care, upper extremity use, postural control, and activity tolerance through purposeful, task-oriented intervention. While framed through an occupational therapy lens, course content is applicable to rehabilitation professionals across disciplines who utilize aquatic therapy as part of skilled practice. Emphasis is placed on clinical reasoning, activity analysis, and selection of aquatic interventions that support meaningful carryover to land-based function within medically appropriate aquatic therapy practice.

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Format & Delivery

Format: Available on demand.

Recorded Webinar (2.5 hours) with Distance Learning Module (0.5 hours)

Total contact hours: 3.0 hours

Learning Objectives

By end of the training, participant will be able to:

#1. Describe 6-8 benefits of the aquatic environment for treatment of OT-related diagnoses. (20 mins)

#2. Describe 2-3 activities or tasks used to address impairments and functional limitations as described in a mock case. (30 mins)

#3. Describe 3-4 relevant findings from evidence-based papers that demonstrate the benefits of aquatic therapy for the OT patient. (20 mins)

#4. Describe 3-4 aquatic therapy techniques appropriate for addressing OT-related dysfunction. (30 mins)

#5. Locate 3-4 documents which describe best practices for aquatic therapy providers. (20 mins)

Additional Information about Course Content

Task-Oriented Intervention in the Aquatic Environment:
Participants explore how daily activities and functional tasks can be adapted for the pool to support skill development, endurance, and confidence while maintaining therapeutic intent.
Upper Extremity Function and Bilateral Use:
The course examines aquatic strategies to support reach, grasp, coordination, and bilateral integration using water resistance and buoyancy to modulate effort and control.
Postural Control and Functional Stability:
Content highlights how aquatic environments can be used to address trunk control, balance, and postural endurance during functional task performance.
Activity Analysis and Grading:
Participants learn how to analyze tasks for physical, cognitive, and sensory demands and adjust aquatic variables to appropriately challenge performance.
Carryover to Land-Based Occupations:
Emphasis is placed on designing aquatic interventions that prepare patients for meaningful participation in daily activities outside the pool, supporting transfer and functional relevance.

Target Audience Statement

This course is designed primarily for professionals with a basic understanding of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Those likely to benefit most are: Physical therapist & assistants, Occupational therapists & assistants, Recreational therapist & assistants, Speech & language pathologist & assistants.

Students who are at the basic level of skill acquisition and those who are at a higher level of skill, but who are looking for a course that provides "best practice" ideas for techniques currently practiced are also welcome.

This course can be applied toward 3 elective hours for individuals who are seeking their ATU Aquaticist credential.

This course does not focus on evaluation or examination of the patient and the content is within the scope of practice for the Assistant working under the supervision of the PT or OT or RT or SLP. While the primary audience for the course is the PT/OT/RT/SLP provider, other rehabilitation providers will find it beneficial.

CEU/CCU Information

Instructors:

Taylor Kozell, OTD is a Board-Certified Occupational Therapist who received her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Nova Southeastern University. She is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist, Certified Neuro Specialist and is 2/3 of the way complete with her Aquaticist certification! Taylor has experience treating people across the lifespan at some of the top facilities in the country in the inpatient, outpatient and community based settings. When she’s not helping her patients with the things they love, you can find her spending time with her husband and their dog, Moose, exploring the outdoors or finding the best taco place.

Andrea Salzman, MS, PT graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Masters degree in physical therapy. Salzman is the Founder and Owner of the Aquatic Resources Network, the largest multidisciplinary clearinghouse of information on aquatic therapy. She currently serves as Director of Aquatic Therapy University and has assisted hundreds of facilities during the start-up and training phases of their aquatic practice. Salzman has received the highest honor given to an aquatic physical therapist from the American Physical Therapy Association, the Judy Cirullo Leadership Award. She has been listed in Who's Who for Aquatics multiple times over the years. Over her career, she has served as:
• Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Aquatic Physical Therapy
• Manager, Regions Hospital Therapy Pool
• Adjunct Faculty, College of St. Catherine’s PT program
• Functional Design Consultant; Aquatic Therapy Facilities
• ARN Database Creator, 19,000 aquatic professionals
• Aquatic Health Research Database (AHRD) Creator, 8000 abstracts and growing
• Author, 5 aquatic therapy-related texts
• Monthly columnist, Aquatics International, Advance for PTs, Onsite Fitness, AusMed and other trade magazines

Patrick Jones - Course author

What's included in this online course?

A step-by-step guide

Your ATU instructor's expertise will help you master the fundamentals of aquatic therapy.

Study at your own pace

You can enroll in this course whenever you want, and study at your own time, location and pace.

Unique learning experience

We will learn with ATU's interactive courses with different media and quizzes, to improve your knowledge.

Course Lessons

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Disclaimer The content provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and is intended for use by licensed and student rehabilitation professionals. It does not constitute legal, medical, or billing advice, nor does it create a provider–patient or attorney–client relationship. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and current compliance, laws, payer policies, and professional regulations vary by state and may change over time. Users are responsible for verifying all information with applicable federal, state, and payer rules before applying it in clinical or administrative practice. Participation in any ATU course, program, or resource does not guarantee licensure, certification, or reimbursement and should not be interpreted as a substitute for professional judgment, legal consultation, or individualized clinical decision-making. By using this site, you agree that Aquatic Therapy University and its affiliates are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from use of this information.

Aquatic Therapy for OT: Techniques, Benefits, Best Practices