Marklund students have fun, gain therapeutically by swimming at The Oasis

Life Skills and Multi-Needs students from Marklund Day School are enjoying themselves once again this summer at The Oasis - a Bloomingdale Park District pool located just steps away from Marklund's location at 164 S. Prairie Ave.

This is the fifth summer for Life Skills students and the second for Multi-Needs students to enjoy The Oasis.

Marklund Day School is a nonpublic state certified school that serves individuals, age 3-22 with medical, developmental, and physical disabilities.

As these students splash, swim and play for two hours a day, twice a week through August, they do more than just have fun. They gain therapeutically, as well, said Angela Williams, primary life skills teacher.

For example, students who are immobile or who have difficulty walking enjoy the freedom a pool can provide, whether they are floating or gliding through the water, with the assistance of Marklund staff. Students who have sensory sensitivities can learn how to better tolerate loud noises, crowds, and the experience of submerging into water.

Williams describes the partnership between Marklund and the Bloomingdale Park District as "absolutely amazing."

"The park district staff is so accommodating regarding any needs we have," she said. "They let the kids wait at the top of the slide, for what seems like forever, as we coax them and try to help them overcome their fear of going down. We have never had a single complaint or problem with any pool staff. This is a very lucky partnership, indeed!"

Sandy Vangundy, director of recreation for the Bloomingdale Park District agrees.

"It is a great partnership - we welcome Marklund's involvement. We do whatever we can to help students and staff have a great experience," she said. "We want to be as accommodating as possible."

"It is rewarding to see the kids from Marklund enjoy the pool," she said. "To see the kids' interactions, smiles and expressions … to see them put their foot in the pool for the first time is so rewarding. These experiences help them grow."

"The Marklund staff is amazing," she added. "It takes a lot of effort to bring the kids to the pool. They do what they can and what is best for the kids. To make the effort to go swimming, to go to the playground and to go sledding - it takes a lot of work and dedication."

Other benefits of swimming for students with developmental disabilities, according to Williams, are:

• Helping students gain social skills by interacting with same-age peers. Students practice taking turns, making requests and making choices.

• Helping students practice making transitions. For example, some students have difficulty just getting into the pool. And once they are in, it can be difficult for them to get out.

• Providing students with an experience that kids their age have.

• Giving parents peace of mind. Knowing their children have had the experience of going to a pool can make parents feel more confident in taking their children to their own community pool.

For information about Marklund Day School, contact Paula Bodzioch, director of education, at (630) 397-5684.

To learn about Marklund, visit www.marklund.org. Follow Marklund on Facebook or Twitter.