Trident Medical Center Starts Yoga Summer Camp for Children with Special Needs

Trident Medical Center therapists hold summer camp for kids with special needs

North Charleston, SC (July 10, 2018) - A growing body of research indicates some children with special needs benefit from yoga. Trident Medical Center Pediatric Occupational Therapist Anne Schneider, OTR, witnessed first-hand the positive power of yoga in special needs children early in her career. “It was very rewarding to see the children become more confident, more relaxed and have a higher sense of self-acceptance,” explained Schneider. Seeing a lack of opportunities in the Lowcountry for children with special needs Schneider and Trident Pediatric Physical Therapist Emily Szymkowicz, PT are spearheading a three-class summer camp for kids with special needs.

The free classes are limited to groups of 10 children and will be held Tuesdays on 7/24, 7/31 and 8/7. Registration is required and can be done online at www.tridenthealthsystem.com/calendar or by calling (843) 797-3463. Classes will be held at Trident Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, 9313 Medical Plaza Drive, Suite 103, Charleston, SC 29406.

Children must be toilet trained, be independent with mobility and able to follow simple commands. An adult must be present. Szymkowicz says considering the type of movements and instructions the classes are appropriate for children who have high-functioning autism, high-functioning cerebral palsy, ADHD and ADD.

“We will provide a relaxing environment for the children,” said Szymkowicz. “They’ll learn some simple poses and breathing techniques that they can do at home, too.”

For both Schneider and Szymkowicz the classes are a first step toward creating more opportunities for children with special needs. “It’s a privilege to work with children and a joy to watch them grow and learn. If there’s an interest in our classes this year we hope to offer them each summer,” said Schneider.

About the Instructors:
Anne Schneider obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse in 2005. She has worked in a variety of outpatient pediatric clinics in Wisconsin and Illinois. Anne has worked with pediatric clients with a wide range of developmental disabilities and diagnoses including sensory processing disorder, ADHD, cerebral palsy, chromosomal syndromes and fine motor delays. She is currently Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS ) Feeding trained and is excited to have a feeding program at Trident for kids with feeding difficulties.

Emily Szymkowicz obtained her Master’s degree in Physical Therapy in 2002 at the Medical University of South Carolina. She has worked as a pediatric physical therapist since 2007 in school and home settings. She joined Trident Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2014 and became the pediatric physical therapist in 2017. She has worked with children with a wide range of diagnoses such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, gross motor delays, chromosomal disorders, and congenital orthopedic disorders.