Rebound Therapy
Trampolines have been used in special education therapies since the 1950s, but in the 1970s the concept of Rebound Therapy was developed by the physiotherapist, remedial gymnast and teacher Eddy Anderson who worked with children with both physical and learning disabilities. The freedom from constraints that jumping on a trampoline inspires has been shown to have tangible benefits for kids with various needs.
Take for example the non-verbal child who would call out names of countries and maths problems when jumping on a trampoline. The freedom of jumping on a trampohline unleashed something in him. It’s been found that children who have limited communication, who aren’t able to express their anxiety or stress, find jumping on a trampoline incredibly valuable in releasing pent up frustrations, stress and anxiety. Mr Trampoline provides trampolines Australiawide to a variety of autistic services, and is assisting in the integration of trampolines into state schools and other special needs facilities Australia wide.
Proprioception
At its most basic, proprioception is the body’s awareness of where it fits into the immediate vicinity and how it is able to perform basic physical tasks.
Adam from Mr Trampoline describes it as “proprioception = the feeling of body parts in space’. Proprioception gives us the ability to walk without having to look at our feet, and touch our nose while our eyes are closed. It stops us from bumping into things and knocking things over.
Bouncing on a trampoline acts as a valuable source of proprioception information to the brain, due to the stimulus it gives to the muscles and joints. Balance issues, uncoordinated movement, clumsiness, dropping or bumping into things can all benefit from regular trampoline sessions, especially if rebound therapy has proven useful to you in the past.
Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterised by abnormal sensitivity to touch, proprioceptive and painful stimuli. Trampolining can create an amazing sense of freedom for those with ASD.