THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMS |
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Many adults with developmental disabilities suffer from various physical and emotional ailments. At Rainbow Acres, we strive to address these ailments through various therapeutic programs that treat either the physical or emotional issues. It is important to strive to improve physical and spiritual well being in order to promote overall health. Neurodevelopmental Therapy - The Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT) program holds the promise to help many Ranchers come closer to reaching their full potential. Highly structured physical exercises and lessons are employed to help re-establish neuropathways in the brain. Initial funding was provided by a Rancher parent, and Rainbow is partnering with the International Christian Association of Neurodevelopmentalists (ICAN) to implement this program and train staff members. TETRA Equine Therapy - With the acquisition of three horses (donated by generous supporters), the Rainbow campus really feels like a "ranch" once again. Ranchers work on an equine crew that grooms and cares for animals, learning responsibility and gaining an understanding of another part of God's great creation. Some of these horses are being carefully conditioned for riding, and possibly pulling a wagon or buggy of some kind. A supplemental part of the program is a partnership with a local group, Connections Equine Therapy, where Ranchers take part in therapeutic riding lessons (there is a fee for this service). Clavinova Connection - The Clavinova Connection is an exciting new therapeutic music program developed by the Yamaha Corporation. The Clavinova is a digital keyboard instrument that is capable of producing over 800 orchestral sounds. Lights appear above the keys and, by following appropriate light pattern, Ranchers can play music. Counseling for Life - For many developmentally disabled individuals, communication is a difficult task. They think and feel deeply, but can't seem to express their emotions. At Rainbow Acres, we believe in providing a safe and open environment for Ranchers to work on their expression and communication. This is why we offer a variety of support groups for Ranchers to identify joys and trials and work through them in a healthy way, supported by their peers. "I envision the day when the Ranchers themselves raise the bar of their expectations, when they are more interested in discussing their futures than their pasts. When they no longer define themselves by their disabilities, but by their inner selves. When they truly feel a part of their world instead of a part from it." - Sam Gray, Assistant Ranch Director |
