Swimming Lessons for Special Needs
Autism Swimming Program
We offer a patient, private, 1-to-1 swimming program designed to meet the unique sensory and learning needs of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Our philosophy is simple: we meet your child exactly where they are. We see their unique strengths and create a joyful, supportive environment where they can build confidence and discover a love for the water.
The swimming pool can be a magical, therapeutic environment for a child with Autism, which is why we often receive referrals from occupational therapists and child psychologists. They, like us, recognize the profound benefits of structured aquatic activity.
We understand our role. For many children, the primary goal of our sessions may not be to learn a perfect swimming stroke, but to use the water as a form of therapy. The consistent, gentle pressure of the water can provide a calming sensory input, while the buoyancy offers a unique sense of freedom and control.
Our coaches are experienced in this therapeutic approach. We are skilled at adjusting our expectations and tailoring every session to achieve the goals that matter most, whether that's improving sensory regulation, building motor skills, enhancing body awareness, or boosting self-esteem. We are here to partner with you and your child's support team to create a joyful, successful, and truly beneficial experience.
Our program is built on a deep understanding of the world of a child with Autism. It is guided by four core pillars that work together to create a safe, successful, and joyful experience in the water, focusing on both therapeutic benefits and essential life skills.
The Science: For many children with ASD, the world can be a source of unpredictable sensory input. The water provides a unique form of Deep Pressure Touch Stimulation (DPTS). The constant, gentle pressure of the water on the body (known as hydrostatic pressure) has a powerful calming and organizing effect on the nervous system.
Our Approach: We leverage this therapeutic property by creating a calm, predictable lesson environment. We understand our primary role is often to use the water to help a child regulate their sensory system, reduce anxiety, and find a state of focus, which is the optimal state for learning.
The Science: Children with Autism thrive on routine and predictability. In a moment of panic, their "thinking brain" can shut down. The key to safety is to build procedural memory—a set of simple, life-saving actions that are so well-practiced they become automatic.
Our Approach: Our syllabus focuses relentlessly on a few core survival skills, like the back float and returning to the wall. Using principles from Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), we break these skills into tiny steps and use positive reinforcement to practice them until they are completely mastered, giving your child a reliable "safety script" they can count on.
The Science: Swimming is a powerful tool for Sensory Integration Therapy. The water provides unique input to two crucial systems: the vestibular system (responsible for balance), which is stimulated by floating and bobbing, and the proprioceptive system (body awareness), which is activated by moving against the water's gentle resistance.
Our Approach: Our lessons are a "sensory playground." We use purposeful play with different textures and toys not just for fun, but as a structured way to provide positive sensory input. This helps a child's brain better organize information, leading to improved motor planning and body awareness.
The Science: A core principle of successful teaching for children with ASD is Task Analysis—the process of breaking a complex skill into small, manageable steps. This, combined with Positive Reinforcement, creates a powerful learning loop that builds both skill and self-esteem.
Our Approach: This is our "micro-win" philosophy in action. We use clear, visual schedules so a child knows exactly what to expect. Every task is broken down to ensure success. Every small success is celebrated. This predictable path removes anxiety and empowers your child, proving to them that they are capable and strong.
Beyond their standard swimming certifications, every swim coach in this program is required to complete our mandatory, in-house specialization training. This is guided by our program head, Sherman, who has a background in Psychology. The training covers our "Circle of Care" principles, adaptive teaching techniques for various needs, and strategies for building trust with children on the spectrum.
Yes, absolutely. Our swimming coaches are trained in non-verbal communication and a "show, don't just tell" approach. We use clear visual aids (like picture schedules), physical prompts, and patient observation to understand and connect with your child's unique way of communicating and learning.
Our first priority is always your child's emotional safety. We are trained to recognize the early signs of a child feeling overwhelmed. If this happens, we do not push through. We immediately pivot to a familiar, calming activity and focus on re-establishing their sense of security. The swimming lesson always ends on a positive and successful note.
The first few lessons have one primary goal: to build a trusting, positive relationship between your child and their coach. We will focus entirely on creating a fun, predictable, and safe routine. The technical skills of swimming will only be introduced after that foundation of trust is firmly established.
Our approach is flexible and depends entirely on the child's needs. For some children, having a parent in the water initially is a crucial step for building comfort. For others, they build a stronger focus directly with the swim coach. We will discuss this with you during our initial consultation to find the best approach for your family.
We measure progress based on your child's individual goals, not a generic checklist. A huge victory might be putting their face in the water without anxiety, following a two-step instruction, or simply having a joyful, engaged session. We track and celebrate these "small wins," which are the true building blocks of confidence.
For a child with ASD, the undivided attention of a single coach is essential. It allows us to manage the sensory environment, ensure constant safety, and provide the highly individualized, adaptive instruction they need to feel secure and thrive.
