Although occupational therapists are great resources for information on programs and therapies to try with your child, the Internet has made it easy for parents of children with special needs to communicate with each other and share resources that have worked for their families.

It's possible that you may hear of some promising new therapy or technique even before your therapist does. You may be in the best position to scout out information, seek out practitioners in your area, and obtain brochures and Web site printouts that describe the procedures.

You'll still want to check with your occupational therapist before embarking on alternative therapies with your child, and some programs require permission from your child's doctor as well. But an important part of your job as a “parent therapist” will be to keep your eyes and ears open and follow up on interesting ideas. Here are three non-home-based therapies you may want to investigate.

Therapy on Horseback

The idea of putting your floppy, hyperactive, or easily frightened child on the back of a horse may seem unthinkable. But horseback riding can be a positive, therapeutic activity for children with sensory integration disorder.

Some may be able to ride on their own and find that the rocking, rising, and falling of the horse's body offers good input to their sense of balance and body position. Others may need a therapist's attention to be safe atop a horse and get the maximum benefit from the experience.

Hippotherapy

Hippotherapy — formed from the Greek word for horse, hippos — isn't really a riding program. It's the use of a horse as a piece of therapy equipment. A therapist will work closely with your child, manipulating her into different positions that utilize the movement of the horse to attain various goals. Hippotherapy may be administered by physical or occupational therapists who have special training in the methods used. The therapeutic goals for hippotherapy will likely be more intense and involved than for therapeutic riding.

Therapeutic Riding

Therapeutic riding will look much more like a horseback riding lesson, with your child sitting in a saddle and riding around a ring. There may be volunteers leading the horse and someone else helping your child stay on as the therapist or instructor gives commands that involve stretching, pointing, playing games, answering questions, and learning how to work with the horse.

In addition to developing the focus needed to ride and direct a large animal, therapeutic riding can improve muscle tone and strength through the torso.

Both hippotherapy and therapeutic riding are designed for children with disabilities, and both require a doctor's permission before your child will be accepted. Frequently, both have a waiting list.

The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International certifies riding programs for both hippotherapy and therapeutic riding. To find a center that offers these therapies in your area, search the PATH International website. You can also contact local stables or call hospitals or universities in your area that offer programs for children with special needs.

Therapy in the Water

While water can serve to calm children with sensory integration disorder, it can also be intensely stimulating for them — so stimulating for some that they're unable to observe normal safety precautions because they're so intent on interacting exuberantly with all that wonderful fluid. You may have trouble keeping your child safe in ordinary swimming sessions or keeping her from splashing and bumping other children in mainstream swim classes. Both aquatic therapy and special-needs swim lessons can take advantage of the special properties of water while taking care of your child's safety.

Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic therapy with a therapist who is trained to work with children with special needs may be a good way to get your child water playtime and therapeutic movement in an environment that will be safe for him. Aquatic therapy may focus on movements that strengthen your child and improve muscle tone and strength. The therapist will use the weightlessness bestowed by the water to help your child do things that would be difficult on land.

To find a pool that offers aquatic therapy, check with agencies in your area that serve children with special needs, or contact hospitals with extensive children's programs. If they don't know of any programs, they may be able to direct you to someone who does.

Special-Needs Swim Lessons

If you're less interested in therapy than in helping your child learn to swim, call some public pools in your area and inquire about swim lessons for children with special needs. You may be able to find someone who gives one-on-one lessons that will provide your child with plenty of hands-on assistance as she becomes comfortable with the water and learns to maneuver through it. Although it won't be as intensely therapeutic as aquatic therapy, any sort of water play may have benefits for your child's sense of touch, balance, and body position.

Yoga

Yoga practitioners have developed techniques for working with children with ADHD, learning disabilities, and autism. Anything that centers on body position, balance, and focus may also be useful for children with sensory integration disorder. To see if there's a practitioner in your area, check out Yoga for the Special Child.

Rock Climbing

Many gymnastics centers have added rock-climbing walls to their facilities, and this offers a great opportunity for children with sensory integration issues to get lots of good stretching, weight-bearing, balancing, and attention-focusing work in a package that's fun and exciting. Since safety may be a particular issue for your child, check with rock-climbing gyms in your area to see if they offer classes for children with special needs or would be willing to work with your child on a one-to-one basis.