The Key Benefits of Swimming for Children on the Autism Spectrum

As an organization that strongly focuses on water safety and survival, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to benefit from these fundamental skills and enjoy the water in a safe and comfortable environment, including children on the autism spectrum.

In honor of National Autism Awareness this month, we would like to share some information regarding the benefits swimming can provide for children on the autism spectrum.

Drowning Prevention

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children and adults on the autism spectrum. According to the National Autism Association, accidental drowning accounted for approximately 90% of total U.S. reported deaths in children with an ASD under the age of 14. Although water safety and drowning prevention is important for every child to learn, children on the autism spectrum are at higher risk because they may seek isolation by fleeing to unfamiliar territories, says Dr. Varleisha Gibbs, OTD, OTR/L occupational therapy professor at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. In addition, most are naturally drawn to the water. Learning how to swim along with learning vital water safety skills can serve to save lives and prevent drowning.

Invaluable Therapy

Besides drowning prevention and water safety, parents report other side effects from learning how to swim, including improved speech and cognitive function. According to an article published in the International Journal of Sport Psychology, water is a soothing environment that emphasizes gentle and repetitive motion. For children on the autism spectrum, the water on the body has a calming effect and reduces any enervating noises. Parents notice that pool time helps students cope with everyday stresses outside of the water as well.

A Social Outlet

According to the Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation (ASDF), swimming can help children on the autism spectrum improve speech, coordination, social skills, self-esteem, and cognitive processing. While these children are often excluded from other sports because there are too many elements to focus on, being underwater can provide them with alone time where he or she doesn’t have to anticipate a ball being passed to them or be responsible for the success of a team. Swimming provides an excellent opportunity for parallel play and for a child to be in the play environment but to interact at a level that is comfortable for them.

Our Adaptive Aquatics Program

The Texas Swim Academy Adaptive Aquatics program is designed to teach life-saving skills to children of all ages and abilities and helps them embrace their natural affinity with water in a safe and beneficial way.

While a traditional swim class will usually have instructors who are not trained to work with children on the autism spectrum and do not understand their special learning requirements, Texas Swim Academy instructors are trained by leading experts in autistic swim instruction to communicate effectively with swimmers on the autism spectrum. In addition to this, we create a calm, patient, and reassuring atmosphere suited to the individual needs and abilities of each swimmer. Our facility is proud to offer a program that can be tailored to individual needs and abilities to meet specific challenges. We believe that with enough consistency, patience, and compassion, every student can learn these valuable skills and build confidence in the water. Tune into the video below to learn what parents are saying about the Adaptive Aquatics program at Texas Swim Academy:

We are thrilled to offer this special program and allow every single child to succeed and build confidence in the water. To learn more about our Adaptive Aquatics program, please contact us or visit our programs page.

SWIM SCHOOL IN KATY 

Texas Swim Academy is the best swim school near me offering result-oriented swimming lessons in Katy that cater to all ages and abilities. Our well-trained and experienced swimming instructors provide a variety of programs for infants through adulthood. For the little ones, we offer swimming lessons for babies and swimming lessons for toddlers focused on survival swimming skills to build a strong water safety foundation and foster water confidence at a young age. Once your child knows how to swim, our swim lessons for children will help refine techniques and build endurance, as the consistent practice of their swimming skills is an imperative part of becoming a strong swimmer. 

Our adaptive aquatics program is designed for children of all ages and abilities to ensure every child, including children on the autism spectrum, can benefit from these fundamental skills and enjoy the water in a safe and comfortable environment. Adults seeking to improve their swimming prowess or learn how to swim for the first time can enroll in adult swim lessons tailored to their specific goals.

Our swim lessons near me are a convenient and accessible way for you and your family to learn how to swim in a comfortable environment. Our dedicated instructors are passionate about teaching and ensuring your progress in the water. Take a few minutes to view Our Swimmer Stories to learn more about what other families are saying about their experience with Texas Swim Academy. 

Contact us to learn more about our programs or stop by our state-of-the-art swimming facility in Katy to register today. Be sure to follow our Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages for important news, updates, and swimming safety tips, and read our blog to keep up-to-date with important information on water safety and proper swimming lessons.