TMA Therapy: Making Waves for Autism Awareness
Well, gather ‘round folks, because we’re diving into something that really floats our boat in the world of therapy! Yes, it’s not just any ol’ therapy; it’s TMA – that’s Multisystem Therapy in water, if you didn’t know. On November 13, 2024, the Casentino Autism Help Desk is hosting an online training for teachers that’s all about making a splash… and potentially making some connections, too!
The Splash Zone
Councilor for Public Education Vittoria Valentini has hailed this initiative as “another great project dedicated to children with communication disorders and autism.” It’s heartwarming to see the community come together to pull kids with autism from the depths of isolation and into the crystal-clear waters of social interaction. And fear not, families, because this isn’t just a free swim day; it’s a well-structured therapy designed to make a difference!
Water You Waiting For?
Now, you might be wondering, what on earth is TMA? Well, it’s a multisystemic therapy that swims through various functional systems – no, not just the physical but relational, cognitive, and all that jazz. The professionals involved have a combined 25 years of experience (you heard that right), and they’ve got scientific evidence backing them up, too! It’s all about utilizing sweet, sweet water as a “sensory activator” – which, if you ask me, sounds a lot more pleasant than a therapist’s office.
From the Pool to the Playground
This therapy doesn’t just keep kids treading water; it helps them build skills that can be transferred to social settings. Imagine splashing around today and trading techniques for engaging with peers tomorrow. Heck, they might even start a ‘high-five from the deep end’ club! The Bibbiena swimming pool has embraced TMA into its offerings, and rumor has it, there are about 10 kiddos already enjoying the benefits. Who doesn’t love a good ‘pool party’ therapy session?
Meet the Splash Masters
Let’s give a warm shout-out to the team behind this initiative. Gabriele Lumachi, the TMA regional coordinator, and area coordinator Angela Zappini have created a welcoming atmosphere at the Bibbiena swimming pool. Seriously, they are like the lifeguards of emotional well-being. They say, “Here we found a very warm welcome,” which is crucial – because who wants to engage in therapy at a place that feels more like the Arctic than a nurturing pool?
A Ripple Effect
What’s truly inspiring is how TMA is often recommended by professionals like neuropsychiatrists, but the real champions here are the teachers – those everyday heroes who can steer families in need of support towards these innovative services. And let’s not forget about the 27 TMA operators in Arezzo province. Talk about making waves in the community!
Final Thoughts
Councilor Vittoria Valentini knows the importance of working together, stating, “The collaboration between administration, associations, schools, and teachers… is an example that speaks of true inclusion.” If only we could get politicians to collaborate on every level so effortlessly!
If you’re interested in activating the TMA therapy for your child, don’t just sit there like a flounder! Contact the Bibbiena swimming pool or the Autism Help Desk for more information. Let’s make waves together!
Arezzo, 23 October 2024 – TMA – Multisystem Therapy in water: on November 13th an online training for teachers promoted by the Casentino Autism Help Desk.
The Councilor for Public Education Vittoria Valentini: “Another great project dedicated to children with communication disorders and autism that we would like to be known and promoted towards families and operators”.
On 13 November 2024, a training meeting will be held on the topic of TMA, a multisystemic therapy in water which has recently also taken place at the Bibbiena swimming pool as a new service aimed at boys and girls with autism spectrum disorders and beyond. It is a therapy which, using water as an emotional, sensorial and motor activator, is capable of pushing the subject with communication disorders and autism into a meaningful relationship, allowing them to come into contact with children who present social difficulties. The therapy, with 25 years of experience and supported by scientific evidence, is aimed at children and others with communication disorders, relationships, autism and generalized developmental disorders and a significant relationship. TMA is multisystemic because it evaluates and intervenes on the child’s different functional systems, i.e. the relational, cognitive, behavioural, emotional, sensorimotor and motivational systems. The swimming techniques and skills acquired during the intervention are used as a vehicle to achieve therapeutic objectives and subsequently also implement the fundamental process of socialization and integration with the peer group.
Promoting this training aimed at the school world is the Casentino Autism Help Desk with its coordinator Nadia Sensi and the Director Maurizio Librizzi who is leading the project.
For a few months now, the municipal swimming pool of Bibbiena has also included the TMA in its routes thanks to the interest of the municipal administration and Gabriele Lumachi, TMA regional coordinator and Angela Zappini, area coordinator.
Gabriele and the TMA workers look after around 10 boys and girls in Bibbiena.
Gabriele and Angela comment on the Bibbiena swimming pool: “Here we found a very warm welcome. This aspect is fundamental and not obvious. The welcome of a manager makes the difference especially in the relationship with the families which is excellent here”.
The relationship with the families is private and TMA is often activated on the recommendation of other professionals such as the neuropsychiatrist, but the teachers are the first to be able to direct families who need it.
There are 27 TMA operators in the province of Arezzo, two are present every week at the municipal swimming pool of Bibbiena which, in this way, is enriched with new value paths.
In this regard, Councilor Vittoria Valentini, who went to the facility to meet Gabriele Lumachi and the TMA operators, comments: “The collaboration between administration, associations, schools and teachers made in this case in favor of the children and those who have need for innovative therapeutic paths is an example to follow. An example that speaks of true inclusion and concrete help to families of which we are proud. I thank the Autism Help Desk, the swimming pool operators and those of the TMA, hoping to be able to have an important response from other families in the coming months for the good of the children”.
Information on the activation of the TMA can be requested from the operators of the Bibbiena swimming pool or directly at the Autism Help Desk
