1300 575 652
referral@rehabco.com.au

Autism Swim

Home NDIS Autism Swim

Autism Swim is a swim safety program, specifically designed for people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The program teaches participants how to be safe around water, while also increasing swimming skills.

All RehabCo instructors have received Autism Swim certification, giving them the resources, skills and support to effectively teach participants with ASD how to swim safely. Parents and carers will also be given the opportunity to learn practical skills to help decrease the chances of wandering and drowning.

The program is suitable for children and young adults aged 7-25 years, and can be delivered 1:1 or in a small group format. Autism Swim is also tailored to meet the needs, goals and strengths of each participant.

What is Autism Swim?

Autism Swim is an international, social enterprise of experts specialising in wandering and drowning prevention for those with ASD.

Who is Autism Swim for?

Autism Swim is designed for children and young adults aged 7-25 years diagnosed with ASD and other abilities.

How can the program help participants?

Specialised training

Autism Swim has identified a significant lack of specialised water safety and swimming training for people diagnosed with ASD amongst mainstream swimming schools.

RehabCo Autism Swim certified instructors understand how individuals with ASD process information and acquire new skills. This allows the instructor to tailor each swimming session to an individual’s capabilities.

Water safety and drowning prevention

According to Autism Swim, children with ASD are 160 times more likely to drown than their neurotypical peers.

This is because some individuals with ASD may not like being in water, which means they don’t get the chance to learn water safety and how to swim. While others may associate water with easing their sensory needs, and actively go wandering to find it.

Individuals living with ASD can also find it difficult to anticipate the dangers of being in or near water. They may also have challenges judging the risks associated with water play which may be amplified if the ASD diagnosis is accompanied by an intellectual disability.

This is why RehabCo Autism Swim certified instructors focus on water safety skills such as floating on your back, or learning to hold onto the side of a pool, as well as learning how to swim.

Water therapy

Anxiety is a common co-occurring condition for people living with ASD. Water therapy has be proven to reduce ASD associated anxiety and yield positive outcomes for these individuals.

Why is swimming so beneficial for swimmers with ASD?

  • Swimming can fulfil sensory needs in a low stimulation environment.
  • Swimming programs aim to increase an individual’s level of safety in aquatics environments through teaching specific skills and instilling confidence in the swimmer, which are potentially life-saving skills.
  • Frequent swimming can result in increased mobility, balance and coordination, as well as increased fitness, joint stability and muscle strength.
  • Swimming is a social and fun activity which can help individuals make new friends. Autism Swim recommends 1:1 lessons to begin with, to allow individuals to build their own water tolerance so they can progress to enjoying time spent with other swimmers.

Did you know?

  • In 2009 to 2011, accidental drowning accounted for 91% of total deaths reported in children with ASD ages 14 and younger, subsequent to wandering.
  • Children with ASD are 160 times more likely to drown compared to other children.
  • Children with ASD are 8 times more likely to wander between the ages of 7 and 10 than children without ASD.
  • 58% of parents of children with ASD consider wandering to be the most stressful ASD behavior.
  • 50% of parents of children with ASD have never received advice or guidance about elopement from a professional.

source: www.autismswim.com.au

Submit a Referral
Menu