Swimming Lessons for Children with Autism

Since April is Autism Awareness month, we’d like to share some information about our special swimming program for children with autism. This program teaches life-saving skills to autistic children of all ages and helps them to embrace their natural affinity with water in a safe and beneficial way. Many students choose to take the instruction further, with stroke development and competitive swim.

Why Is This Program Important?

Drowning is the number one cause of death for children and adults with autism. Most autistic children are naturally drawn to water, so this makes swimming and water safety skills vital. But enrolling an autistic child in a traditional swimming class could have negative results. Most swimming instructors are not trained to work with autistic swimmers and don’t understand their unique learning requirements.

Why Our Program

We have been trained by the leading experts in autistic swim instruction to communicate effectively with autistic swimmers, using proven teaching methods that accommodate their learning patterns. We create a calm and reassuring environment and pase our instruction to suit the individual needs and abilities of each swimmer.

How Will the Child Benefit?

In addition to swimming skills, parents often report other side benefits, including improved speech and cognitive function. Many autistic children find the water very soothing and therapeutic, making it an ideal learning environment for them. Because of the calming effect that swimming tends to have, many parents find that regular pool time helps students to cope with day to day stresses. And it’s just fun! Students enjoy the challenges of learning something new and working on their swimming skills. Some students enjoy competitive aspects as well and work to improve their speed and agility in the water.

Rohini Bal enrolled her four year old son in our program after a year of unsuccessful instruction at another swim academy. “He loves water in every sense of the word and enjoys interacting with it. It excites and calms him at the same time.” She said when asked about her choice to enroll him. “I knew he really enjoyed swimming and was looking around for an appropriate place which would understand his needs and teach him how to swim.”

It didn’t take long for Rohini to start seeing results. Today she considers the program a success.

“I could not have come across a better place. Kathleen’s knowledge of working with children on the spectrum is very helpful, she knows just how to motivate the child to learn while having fun and importantly does not rush them. Her focus on safety and getting the basics right is bang on. My son has learned not only basic survival techniques but also how to swim. Something he did not learn in over a year of instruction at another swim club.”

We’re so happy with Rohini’s experience and aim to provide this outcome with every one of our swimmers! Classes are available to children on all ranges of the autism spectrum. For more information on our autistic swimming program, or to check class times and availability, call our office today! To learn more about autism, visit the National Autism Association online.

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.