Aquatic Therapy is the scientific and evidence-based practice of providing therapy in an aquatic environment by therapists and assistants. Aquatic therapy uses the unique properties of water to enhance treatments for patients with musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular/pulmonary, and integumentary (skin) diseases, disorders, or conditions. Treatments and exercise routines are performed while fully submerged, partially submerged, or while floating in the water. Simple walking, floating, swimming, and running while submerged are all aquatic therapy activities. Commonly used in orthopedic rehabilitation, aquatic therapy may also be called aquatic rehabilitation, pool therapy, and therapeutic aquatic exercise.

Turn Center provides oral function therapy, also known as feeding therapy, to developmentally delayed and medically fragile children to address feeding difficulties. These feeding difficulties can stem from various physiological and/or psychological sources, including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, cleft lip and palate, autism, and other chromosomal disorders.

Oral function therapy, or feeding therapy, helps infants and children learn to take in food, chew, and swallow, or it helps them overcome sensory issues with texture, consistency, or variety of food to give them the ability to eat for health maintenance and survival.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ACC) includes all forms of communication (other than oral speech) that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas. We all use AAC when we make facial expressions or gestures, use symbols or pictures, or write

People with severe speech or language problems rely on AAC to supplement existing speech or replace speech that is not functional. Special augmentative aids, such as picture and symbol communication boards and electronic devices, are available to help people express themselves. This may increase social interaction, school performance, and feelings of self-worth.

As part of its commitment to supporting families, Turn Center provides counseling services to patients and individual family members, free of charge. Families of children with special needs frequently experience extraordinary and long-term stress and emotional trauma. They are also frequently uninsured or underinsured. Counseling services can help provide support, education, and coping strategies to increase the physical and mental health, safety, and self-sufficiency of each individual and the family as a whole.

To request more information regarding counseling services for Turn Center families, please contact Angela Peterson at Angela@TurnCenter.org.

Social Group focuses on providing a safe environment for children and young adults with social developmental delays to learn to effectively communicate and interact with their families, peers, teachers, and community. Speech and occupational therapists facilitate social group and use simulated, structured social environments to teach the participants appropriate social language and behaviors.

FOR MORE INFO

To request more information regarding social groups for Turn Center families, please contact Regan Hall at Regan@TurnCenter.org.

Turn Center started a Special Olympics Delegation in 2016 when we formed a basketball team comprised of ten clients between the ages of 9 and 12.

Our team had so much fun during the tournament later that year we started offering golf, tennis, bocce ball, softball, and bowling. This year, we added soccer and aquatics.

For more information on our Special Olympics Delegation, contact Haley Ogburn at Haley@TurnCenter.org.

Go Turn Center Tornadoes!

Turn Center supports Turn Center families by offering additional programs, classes, and services for children with special needs and their caregivers.

Stellar Stars Ballet Class in partnership with Lone Star Ballet

Adaptive Sports/Turn Center Tornadoes

Handwriting Summer Camp

Summer Fun EventsParents’ Night Out

Trunk Or Treat