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AQUATIC RING COLLECT GAME

Use simple, playful reaching tasks in shallow water to build confidence, engagement, and basic movement in children and adolescents with significant limitations.

Focus Full Body
Environment Leisure or therapy pool with shallow play area and adequate space for group games
Pool Depth Fully Anchored
Supervision Required
Equipment Yes

How to Perform

  1. Have the child stand or sit on the pool steps in shallow water while holding the edge or a kickboard for support.
  2. Place a floating ring or toy within easy arm’s reach on the water surface.
  3. Ask the child to reach out with one hand to touch or grab the toy, then bring it back to the starting point.
  4. Alternate hands and change toy positions slightly to encourage controlled trunk and arm movement.
  5. Celebrate each successful reach and gradually increase the variety of toy positions as tolerated.

Key Execution Cues

Remember: Reach slowly and fully with relaxed shoulders, keep breathing steady, and return the hand to support after each attempt.

Safety & Precautions

Important: Use caution with strong sensory defensiveness or fear of water; keep tasks non-threatening and close to support.

Additional Safety Notes: Maintain close contact or immediate reach, avoid placing toys so far that balance is lost, and adjust water depth to comfort.

Exercise Modifications

Make it Harder (Progressions)

Move toys slightly farther away or to different sides, or add simple counting or naming games during each reach.

Make it Easier (Regressions)

Keep toys directly in front and very close, allow continuous two-hand support, or perform reaching tasks while seated higher on the steps.

Audience

Child

Therapeutic Notes

Autism-focused and neurodevelopmental aquatic therapy using games and functional play

Clinical Conditions

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • ADHD
  • Down Syndrome

Modality

  • Group
  • Individual

Benefits

Increased motivation and enjoyment, Gentle activation of upper and lower body, Improved reaching and grasping in water, Enhanced social interaction potential

Muscles Worked

  • shoulders
  • arms
  • core
  • hips

Equipment Needed

  • Kickboard

When to Use

  • Warm-up
  • Skill development

Exercise Tags

games functional play ASD severe disability engagement Full Body

Attribution

Source TypePDF
Original AuthorAnna Ogonowska-Slodownik et al.
ContributorAI Extraction Agent
PublicationAquatic Therapy in Children and Adolescents with Disabilities: A Scoping Review
LicenseCC BY 4.0
Credit RequiredYes
Date Created2025-11-30
Last Modified2025-11-30
Original URLhttps://doi.org/10.3390/children11111404

External Source

TypePDF
URLhttps://doi.org/10.3390/children11111404
Additional InfoGrounded in aquatic games and group play elements used to enhance enjoyment, behavior, and social skills in ASD and other disabilities.