Rebound Therapy

Rebound Therapy is the therapeutic use of the trampoline, it is used to facilitate movement, promote balance and body awareness, help to increase or decrease muscle tone, promote relaxation, promote sensory integration, improve fitness and exercise tolerance, and to improve communication skills. Students that benefit from it have a range of disabilities, from mild to severe physical disabilities and from mild to profound and multiple learning disabilities, including sensory impairment and autistic spectrum.

Rebound therapy is a very popular modality of physical treatment. St Rose’s and St Martin’shas a full sized trampoline which can be accessed by a gantry hoist to ensure that it can be enjoyed by all. Rebound Therapy is led by the physiotherapy team who have specialised training in this therapy. It may be incorporated into the students physiotherapy programme or delivered as a separate therapy depending on the student’s needs.

The physiotherapists help to devise programmes that can be delivered by Teachers, Teaching Assistants or Care Staff that have participated in extra outside training for Rebound Therapy so that goals can be set working alongside other physical, sensory or learning goals. This means that Rebound Therapy can be given not only during the school/college day but in after school clubs and open weekends.

Treatment can be given with the student in many different positions, such as lying on their front, back or side, sitting, kneeling or standing. Equipment can be incorporated into the session for example gymnastic balls, parachute or wedges.

Rebound Therapy has many benefits, including:

• Developing postural awareness in many different positions

• Relaxation

• Enjoyment

• Improving muscle strength and endurance

• Following instructions

• Practicing communication skills

• As a sensory activity

• Improving cardio-vascular fitness

• Improving core strength

• Working with other students

• Experiencing movement

• Allows a student to experience freedom of movement

• A sense of achievement

• Opportunities to improve eye contact

• Developing spatial awareness

• FUN

Rebound Therapy is offered to all students at St Roses after assessment and consultation with parents and consultants as necessary.