Sand Therapy

Sand therapy is a process intended to facilitate to control the involuntary movement of a child with cerebral palsy. We at USHAS have seen great results, in trunk control, reducing the spasticity etc. Sand therapy is useful for the emotional healing and full personal development of the child. It has proved great results for children with loco-motor issues, vestibular stimulus and hyperactivity.

In sand play, specifically for children with Autism, the therapist utilizes a safe and encouraging environment that may sometimes involve dream work, talk therapy, or other methods of opening to the imagination. Importantly, however, the client is given the opportunity to choose from hundreds of tiny objects and figures in order to create in a sand tray a picture of the inner "world."

The scenes that take shape in the tray are comparable to the symbolic images that occur in dreams. The activity is multidimensional–using eyes, hands, body, mind, and spirit–and thus has a profound resonance with the client. The therapist "witnesses" the scene without direction or interpretation, responding only to the client's comments.

A "sacred space" is held allowing the individual to express their emotions at their own space and time. Psychological analysis or interpretation may occur at a later date, if so desired.