Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Swimming and Autism: A Life Skill and A Lifesaver

My 11-year-old son, Nathan, has always loved water.  Like many children with autism, he loves the bathtub, the shower, a swimming pool or the beach.  It doesn't matter where the water is, he loves it!  He has taken swimming lessons, since he was 5-years-old, but he never was able to learn to swim.
When Nathan was little, his therapists would
fill a kiddie pool and use a water table with him
This was a huge fear for my husband and me.  According to the National Autism Association, accidental drowning is a leading cause of death for children under the age of 14 with autism.  Between 2009-2011, 91% of deaths of children with autism were due to accidental drowning after a child wandered away.  In addition to his love of water, Nathan is also a wanderer.
Nathan loves to feel the waves crashing
into him at the beach
I knew if Nathan could get over his fear of drowning, he could easily learn to swim.  He loves the water, but was terrified to go in without a life jacket or flotation device.  He would sit on the steps and refuse to go in any further and God forbid his face should go in the water, he would panic.
Nathan would refuse to get in the water without a
life jacket, he was terrified of drowning

After trying years of regular swimming lessons in a regular class, I decided I needed to try something else.  In March of this year, I found Swim Angelfish.  They have swimming lessons and swim therapy for children with autism, physical or sensory challenges.  All lessons are 1:1 with just your child and his or her instructor.  They have locations in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.  Like everything else when it comes to autism, it isn't cheap- $60 per lesson- but if you buy a group of lessons in advance, you will get a discount.
At the end of Nathan's first lesson,
he doggie paddled across the pool

I've been amazed by the results.  By the end of the first lesson, Nathan was doggie paddling from one side of the pool to the other!  Now, 4 months later, he will wear his goggles- he used scream if we tried to put them on and he called them "his weakness" because he thought if he wore goggles, he would drown.  He will also go underwater- just for a fraction of a second, but this is huge!
Nathan will now wear his goggles
and go under- even if for a split second

Would I call Nathan swimmer?  No, he still has a long way to go, but at least I know he can be safe in and near water.  That is a huge relief for me and Jason.  If you've been thinking of trying 1:1 swimming lessons for your child, I highly recommend it.  It could save a life.

7 comments:

  1. Again you are so inspiring!!!!
    Hatcher

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I just take things one day at a time!

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  2. Great accomplishments, Nathan! As always, thank you, Becky and Jason for putting your children first- you are the best Mom and Dad!

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  3. Makes me feel more appreciative. Thanks Becky and woot woot Nathan

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  4. Sneak a look forward every 10 steps. Vision in the water will be even more restricted than this because you may or may not be able to see forward depending upon wave conditions, fog in your goggles or glare from the sun reflecting off of the water.water beads

    ReplyDelete
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