Pool therapy an enjoyable experience for Connecticut children

South Central Connecticut elementary school students are deriving significant progress in a local swimming pool with the assistance of a woman who holds a physical therapy job, according to a published report.

Of the seven children partaking in the program in Meriden, five never before had entered a pool prior to this year, The Record-Journal reports. Equipped with swimsuits and flotation devices, all of the students greatly benefit from the activities and exercises of the therapy program called PLAY, an acronym for play, learn and achieve at the YMCA.

"Movement is a big deal to me," Heather McDonnell told the news source, noting pools are good for children battling autism since they help develop strength while acclimatizing to buoyancy and water pressure. "It gets them grounded and it gets them to move."

The children kicked and swam about the pool while enjoying themselves.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapists help patients recuperate from illness, injury and surgery by aiding with the management of pain and the enhancement of motion.