HOW TO TEACH CHILDREN WITH AUTISM TO SWIM

Introducing swimming to your children is a great way to establish the importance of a healthy lifestyle. One of the biggest advantages of swimming is that it allows children to be naturally adventurous and have fun. Helping your kid learn to swim is not only joyful and inspiring but an important responsibility for a parent. Mastering these skills can be done with the right support and guidance.

Many parents want to know how to teach individuals with Autism to swim. Swimming is highly therapeutic and satisfying for children with Autism. The activity is great for children who may need help with sensory processing, gross motor development, and following directions. Here we have some useful tips that can work very well with the unique needs and challenges that children with Autism experience. 

Helping the Child Feel Comfortable:

• One of the most important things parents who need to help their kids to swim can do is to get the right support.
• Utilise a social story to converse with them about figuring out how to swim.
• Photos and videos can be particularly helpful for children with Autism.
• Before your child’s first swim class, take them for a visit through the pool where they’ll be taking illustrations.
• Make them understand how instructors blow their whistle prior and why the whistle is necessary so they get used to it. 

Contact To Your Local Swimming Classes:

• A swimming pool environment can be busy and noisy and for children with autism as there can be lots of auditory and visual distractions.
• Try to speak with the local swimming pool about what they actually assist for individuals on the spectrum.
• They might offer ASD friendly sessions where the pool is calmer with less individuals.
• Discuss your options with the instructor with the objective of making swimming a goal in the treatment plan. 

Make your child familiar to the pool:

• Many children with Autism do better in a new environment if they’re offered the chance to get comfortable with no expectations.
• Introducing your child to the location where he/she is going to learn swimming can make them more comfortable.
• Try asking, if the child is having an exceptionally difficult time adjusting in a new environment then try to motivate them in their way.
• Do you want to just look around, or would you like to try playing in the water? Ask these questions to make them feel comfortable before trying a new thing.
• If the child is feeling difficult adapting to the environment, try to modify the task according to their capabilities.
• Motivate and reward the child with a sweet treat or new toy after visiting the pool through this they will feel positivity. 

Try to be Consistent and create a Routine :

• Often routine plays a significant part in the life of children with Autism.
• It is therefore important to create a daily routine so that they get used to certain activities.
• This should help your child feel comfortable and confident in the water.
• Each lesson should include a warmup and cool-down routine.
• These routines should be the same for every lesson and simple as splashing water, or blowing bubbles. 
• Routine will help calm your child’s nerves and increase confidence in completing tasks.