Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Organization/specialist implementing the practice: “Adapted Sports SC” NGO
Activity managers: Assist. Prof. Vili Alexandrova, PhD, Alexander Alexandrov and Radmila Barganska
Objectives of the activity: The aim is to implement innovative programs for adapted motor activity and swimming to influence the physical, functional and psycho-emotional state in children with physical, intellectual and sensory disabilities.
Tasks:
- Development and experimentation of specialized swimming programs (for incompetent) for children with various disabilities;
- Adaptation of knowledge and skills to be passed on to the participants during the sports activities;
- Attempt for the implementation of the adapted swimming programs for children with physical, intellectual and sensory disabilities, as an example of good practice in AFA and sports.
Which quality of life factor the specified program refers to: Inclusion and social integration by including children and young people with various disabilities in sports activities, as well as the opportunity to acquire new knowledge and skills during sports activities.
Target group: 35 people with physical, intellectual and sensory disabilities (cerebral palsy, autism, general intellectual disability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Down’s syndrome, hearing impairments, etc.) at 3 to 26 years.
Description of the program and the methods used:
The program of adapted swimming is developed on the basis of pathologically anatomical and pathophysiological status in children with various disabilities and the physiological impact of the aquatic environment on the body, as well as taking into account the individual and age characteristics of the target group.
The goal is aimed at improving the physical and functional condition of children on the one hand and the active socialization and learning new habits and skills on the other.
Swimming activities are held twice a week for 60 minutes in the pool of 131st School “K. Timiryazev” Mladost 4 at a water temperature of 27-28 °C. For this purpose, we apply the generally accepted in the swimming practice scheme of a swimming lesson: preparatory part (on land 5 – 10 min), main part (in water 35 – 40 min) and final part (in water 5 – 10 min).
The swimming curriculum for children and youngsters with physical, intellectual and sensory disabilities is consistent with the physical, somatotype and psycho-emotional states in this nosology. This includes:
- Gender and age;
- Results of a medical examination and recommendation from an otolaryngologist, orthopedist, psychologist, etc.;
- Stage and nature of the disability;
- Presence of previous diseases
- Initial physical development;
- Condition of the musculoskeletal system;
- Disorder of the spatial orientation;
- Disorder of the emotional and volitional qualities;
During the swimming activities with the children all teaching methods are used, but considering the mastering of the teaching material there are some differences.
To carry out the motor activity during the classes of adapted swimming and depending on the tasks and functions that are performed, we use the individual approach and the following training methods:
- Verbal method;
- Visual method;
- Motor method.
During swimming activities, we consider the physical fitness, the stage of the disability and the psycho-emotional state of the children.
The learning process begins with exercises to adapt to the aquatic environment and to develop habits and skills for orientation and balance.
Given the difficulties in perceiving the learning content, children with disabilities need a special learning approach – a choice of exercises, a feeling of safety during their implementation and impact on the psycho-emotional state.
Impact of the program:
When implementing the assigned tasks, we stimulate children and youngsters, thus influencing their emotion and we help them to eliminate the feeling of fear of water and insecurity.
With proper guidance during the swimming activities, the target group masters various motor skills, creates emotionally forming movements, especially during the games, develops strong-willed qualities such as courage, determination and self-confidence.
Interesting moments
There are many interesting moments, but the best ones are related to the gratitude of the parents. We are presenting one of the many thank you letters.
„On behalf of all parents we would like to thank “Adapted Sports SC” and the students majoring in APAS in the Department of Water Sports at NSA Vasil Levski.
Thanks to their initiative, the Sports School of Sofia Municipality provides for use the swimming base of the 131st School in Mladost 4. In it, a group of children suffering from cerebral palsy, autism and other disabilities have the opportunity to practice adapted activities in water environment. During the months of implementing the classes, we – their parents –found a constructive and adequate change in them.
During this short time of water exercises and games, they have become little angels “fluttering” not with wings, but with their legs and hands better than ever. Insecure, watching with disbelief and fear, both the water and all the children participating in the program they now have no patience to get inside the pool, and often don’t even want get out of it. This adapted program improved not only their physical condition, motivation and activity, but also the emotional and mental one. Thanks to the healthy children participating in the group, who play with our kids, they are integrated and feel normal for the first time.
As if not so different from the others, with eyes full of joy, their faces have been completely changed in recent months. There is no trace of the fear of water that seemed to terrify them at first. Now it has been replaced only by impatience and a willingness to dive in the joy that water brings them. Thanks to the exercises and games for rehabilitation purposes, we “read” in them a desire for contact with the environment and the society. A wish that brings us – their parents only joy, which we don’t want to hide. The joy of being happy, even in their own way, the joy of looking and feeling at least a little normal. Thank you for this joy.
We have no words to express our gratitude to Assist. Prof. Vili Alexandrova and her amazing students. You have filled the hearts of some parents with endless hope. Thank you for being here”.
