What is rebound therapy?

Posted: 5th May 2026

At SELFA, we support children with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) in a variety of ways – including offering rebound therapy. But what exactly is this, and what are the benefits?

“Rebound therapy is a therapeutic exercise that uses a trampoline to improve physical and sensory functioning,” says Maya Whitton, SELFA’s youth development worker.

“At SELFA, it is used in our weekend SEND sessions to use it as a physiotherapy tool for enjoyment and dysregulation – by helping children to manage their emotional responses.”

Essentially, rebound therapy is the specialised use of trampolines to help children and adults with movement, balance, muscle use, communication and sensory integration (the brain’s process of organising sensations from the body and environment).

It’s suitable for individuals with a wide range of additional needs, including those who are autistic, people with ADHD and those with physical disabilities.

How does rebound therapy work and what are the benefits?

In rebound therapy, the trampoline works as a moving, responsive surface that interacts with the body. So when someone bounces on it, they experience changes in pressure, gravity and motion.

Moving on a trampoline requires balance, so it helps to stimulate the joints and muscles in a supported way and helps the user improve their coordination and control. Rhythmic bouncing is gentle exercise that can also help to calm the nervous system, which can help with challenges such as sensory overstimulation.

Rebound therapy helps sensory processing by boosting the body’s vestibular (balance) and proprioceptive (body awareness) systems. These help the brain process movement and spatial information more effectively.

And it’s also fun – and the freedom of movement helps to boost confidence and self-esteem.

“It can also improve engagement and encourage interaction with peers. It can help to relax tense muscle tone,” says Whitton. “It is part of our weekend SEND service that we use to improve social interactions, and it becomes an adaptable part of our provision.”

Importantly, rebound therapy isn’t the same as simply bouncing on a trampoline. Our staff are specially trained to provide rebound therapy using a structured framework so it is safe for each child and young person – and is adapted to suit their individual needs.

To find out more about our weekend SEND provision, click here: https://www.selfa.org.uk/what-we-offer/term-time-activities/