Special Needs Parenting

» Jennifer W. Miner - Autistic Kids and Swimming

I know three children, ages 7,8 and 12, who have Asberger's, and all three are capable swimmers in the pool. The mothers of two of them say their kids don't like the ocean, however.
I know Asberger's is not as debilitating as severe or even moderate autism, but I thought I'd just relay what I know! It may help that they live in SoCal, where pools and the pacific are practically ubiquitous.

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» mshanahan - Autistic Swimming Instruction

Yes autistic children can learn to swim and have fun in the water just like every other child. All it takes is what I like to call the 3 P's. Perserverance , Patience ,and Praise.

-- posted by mshanahan

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» nickcrowe - help needed to improve swim school

I teach swimming to schools in the Wellington area. I have class sizes of about 10 and each lesson last for 30 min. I often have special needs kid in the class. I would like to be a better instructor and meet the whole class needs. But i often find my time taken up with controlling one child. Any one got any good teaching ideas. The schools will not reduce the class size.
Would there be a need for a special needs swim class?

-- posted by nickcrowe

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» christinal30 - help needed to improve swim school

In response to help needed to improve swim school posted by nickcrowe:

Wow, that sounds like quite a dilemma. My first instinct was to say a special needs class would be good, but I'm afraid that would just amplify the problem (having 10 kids who need one-on-one attention). Perhaps a better solution would be to have an individual instructor for the special needs child, so he/she could still benefit from the inclusive aspect of the class. Also, I would encourage more persistence on the school administrators, to help them understand the need for a special needs class, or a reduced class size (esp for kids who may be overstimulated by the noise from 10 kids in the pool at once), or for a swimming aide for each special needs child. Best of luck to you, and I wish we lived close to you! (I have 2 kids w/autism, and they LOVE the water, but haven't learned real swimming skills yet.)

-- posted by christinal30

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» dmmcj - swimming with folks with special abilities

i have been teaching a swimming class for 12 years and i have folks from 13 mo. to 64 years of age and a large range of abilities. autistic on many levels, asbergers M.R. downs syndrome, blind, deaf, ADHD. I worked to get some who were in a scout troop to pass the swimming merit badge, it took awhile, but we persevered. I really enjoy this, and its a program that our is offered through the county park and rec. department so money is in short supply.
I hopping to find anyone who is also teaching these folks to swim and if they have any new ideas.
i need new games and tech. I"m feel like I'm stuck in rut.
so if you want drop a line.
thanks

-- posted by dmmcj

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