Rehabilitation Center "Spirit"
Our center exists since 2009. The main focus is professional hippotherapy (Equine-assisted therapy). Since 2014, we have been engaged in adaptive equestrian sports as well.
The dream of comprehensive rehabilitation based on hippotherapy for children has become a reality, and today we invite you to take advantage of a range of our services and save time that previously was spent on scattered visits to specialists across the city. We are located on the territory of the Kyiv Hippodrome, near the “Hippodrome” metro station, in the Holosiivskyi district.
Speech Therapist - Defectologist
The "Spiryt" Rehabilitation Center offers a wide range of services for initiating, developing, and restoring the functions of the speech apparatus in children.
Speech problems can vary and can occur at birth or throughout life. We work with the following disorders:
General speech underdevelopment (ONR) of degrees I, II, III
Phonetic-phonemic speech underdevelopment (FFN);
Speech development delay (ZRR);
Psycho-speech development delay (ZPRR);
Dysgraphia (writing disorder);
Dyslexia (reading disorder);
Dyslalia (speech sound disorder);
Alalia (speech absence);- Dysarthria (speech disorder related to CNS damage);
- Rhinolalia (speech disorder due to cleft palate);
- Aphasia (breakdown of already formed speech);
- Stuttering.
The teaching system we use is aimed for shaping and correcting all aspects of speech - phonetic, lexical, grammatical, and pragmatic.
- We develop special individual articulation gymnastics.
- Speech therapy massage.
- Anti-salivation massage.
- Breathing techniques for speech.
- Sound articulation, development of phonemic hearing.
- Prevention of reading and writing disorders.
- Development of speech skills (speech pragmatics).
Defectology
At the ‘Spirit’ center, we thoroughly study the patterns and peculiarities of development of each child and work to the maximum on their adaptation in social, educational, domestic, professional, and other spheres.
During defectology classes, cognitive processes such as memory, thinking, attention, various types of perception, visual, auditory, motor functions, and inter-sensory connections are developed. The child’s cognitive and creative activity, primary language skills are emphasised.
We focus on expanding children’s horizons, refining their understanding of objects and phenomena, nature, and social reality. The process also includes tasks aimed at speech development, primarily enriching vocabulary and clarifying word meanings. The structure of classes includes games and exercises aimed at developing cognitive processes. We combine several modern methodologies that consistently yield results.
Therapeutic Physical Education (TPE), Massage, Kinesiotherapy
In our Center, a specialist in physical rehabilitation and massage conducts sessions with children of different age groups and various diagnoses.
This are some of the effects of therapeutic massage for cerebral palsy (CP):
- Improved blood and lymph circulation;
- Activation of metabolic processes in tissues;
- Reflex influence on internal organs and the nervous system;
- Increased muscle mass in children;
- Enhanced adaptive abilities of the child’s body;
- Normalized functions of internal organs.
Therapeutic exercise for CP:
- Improved mobility in major joints;
- Increased muscle tone;
- Overall strengthening and therapeutic effects on the body to restore its functionality;
- Normalized blood circulation and metabolic processes in the affected area, which helps
to fully or partially overcome metabolic and neurovascular disorders.
While choosing exercises and creating a complex for therapeutic physical exercises (LFK), it is necessary to take into account the specificity of the child’s muscle tone, the degree (severity) of impairment, hidden potential capabilities, and select biomechanically justified and accessible starting positions and effective techniques for muscle relaxation. The treatment of motor disorders in cerebral palsy (CP) is carried out comprehensively, using therapeutic means, medications, therapeutic exercises, massage, orthopaedic regimens, and speech therapy sessions.
The application of massage in autism contributes to the development of:
- Development of communication skills;
- The child’s behaviour becomes less autistic (the child allows touch, makes contact);
- Improvement of language skills;
- Reduction of anxiety;
- Increased concentration and social interaction, improved sleep quality);
- Contributes to improved breathing and relaxation.
The result of comprehensive rehabilitation using therapeutic physical exercises includes:
- Formation of purposeful activity;
- Formation of necessary motor skills and abilities;
- Development of gross and fine motor skills;
- Improvement of coordinatio.
Rehabilitation Center “Spirit”
Founded in 2009 in Kiev by a group of enthusiasts with the support of the Children’s Psychiatric Center.
Our employees have specialised education and regularly undergo professional development courses. We actively participate in scientific conferences, conduct educational seminars, publishing articles, and maintain connections with equine-therapeutic organisations over Ukraine, Europe, and other countries worldwide. All specialists in the hippotherapy department are skilled in horse riders and understand its practical applications. Work methodologies are fit individually for each child and coordinated with a doctor.
Our focus is on rehabilitation of children with disabilities and special needs, including cerebral palsy (ДЦП), autism spectrum disorders (РАС), Down syndrome, and others. Our center is supervised by National Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, the Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, and Sports Medicine, as well as the Department of Child, Social, and Forensic Medicine.
The horses in our center are specifically acquired for therapy, trained by professionals, possess excellent temperaments, high sensitivity, complete dedication, rhythmic and smooth movements, and have a gentle, low withers. Each day, the horses are warmed up by a professional handler before sessions with the children and undergo veterinary checks. We prioritise safety during sessions, which involve a team of three people: a horse handler, a hippotherapy instructor, and an assistant instructor.
Sessions take place outdoors in the park area of the hippodrome, in a space provided for our activities. There is also a summer arena for equestrian sports for individuals with limited abilities.
During colder seasons, sessions are held in a heated indoor arena.