Before You Start
Before we get into the steps of how to help your autistic child learn to swim, let me share a little disclaimer:
I am not a professional swimming instructor, psychologist, or pediatrician.
I am just a mom navigating this world with my autistic child.
What I am sharing is based on my experiences, and while it worked for us, every child is different.
Swimming can be a challenging activity for autistic children, especially when sensory issues come into play.
From the chilly water to the overwhelming sounds and new surroundings, it is a lot for anyone to process, let alone our sensitive kids.
But with the right preparation, patience, and encouragement, it is absolutely possible to make swimming a positive experience.
If you are planning a swimming holiday, you might want to check out my other post on how to prepare your autistic child for travel here – it is full of helpful tips!
How to Help Your Autistic Child Learn to Swim
Alright, let us talk about swimming with our unique, amazing, and beautifully atypical kids! It can feel like a big challenge, but trust me – step by step, with patience and love, it is absolutely doable.
Swimming is not just a life skill; it can be an incredible confidence booster and a lot of fun too. Plus, it is a great bonding experience for you and your child!
I have been there as an autistic mom with an autistic child, and I have learned a lot. Here, I am sharing my experiences and what worked for us, so you can help your child enjoy the water too.
Let us dive in!
Why Helping Your Autistic Child Learn to Swim can be Tricky
Autistic children, like my autistic child often experience the world differently, and swimming pools are a sensory overload.
My autistic child gave me a breakdown on what is so difficult about it. They said they struggle with me:
- Temperature: Pool water can feel shockingly cold, especially if they are used to warm baths, like mine is.
- Noise: Pools can be loud with echoes, splashes, and chatter.
- Textures: The sensation of water against their skin or the feeling of wet clothes can be uncomfortable.
- New surroundings: Pools are unfamiliar places, which can trigger anxiety and make my autistic child uncomfortable.
- Social pressure: Being around strangers or peers can add to their stress and put pressure on them to perform perfectly.
Understanding these challenges is the first step to help your autistic child learn to swim.
If you want more insight into how autistic children perceive and experience the world, which can be a game-changer when teaching them to swim, I highly recommend that you also read the book Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew. It is an eye-opener for any parent!
By understanding an autistic child’s sensory sensitivities, communication needs, and emotional challenges, parents can approach swimming lessons with greater patience and empathy.
For example, the book emphasizes the importance of affirming a child’s feelings and respecting their boundaries, which is essential when introducing them to a potentially overwhelming activity like swimming.
Step 1: Start Small at Home
Before heading to a big pool, we started small.
Use a bathtub or a kiddie pool at home to introduce the idea of being surrounded by water.
We did not have so much space, so I brought a plastic sandpit and filled it with water.
Fill the bath or pool or empty sandpit to the top, making sure the water is warm and comfortable. I let my autistic child sit and play at their own pace.
Make sure the temperature is good. But not too warm.
Pool water is not warm. At all.
Unless you got money!
Then you can heat it.
Anyway!
If your child may seem hesitant, do not rush – it might take several tries before they feel relaxed.
Gradually, you can transition to cooler water to prepare them for the temperature of a swimming pool.
I recommend starting this process about a month before your first pool visit. It is all about building familiarity and confidence step by step.
Eventually you can get them used to being in much cooler water and they will be okay with it.
I also recommend lukewarm/cooler showers and baths anyway because it is amazing for the immune system.
Step 2: Use Swimming Equipment to Build Comfort
Swimming gear can make a huge difference.
Here is what we tried:
- Inflatable arm bands: These are lifesavers for beginners and help your autistic child learn to swim by feeling more secure in the water.
- Toys: Floating toys or waterproof games can make water time more fun.
- Goggles: Protect their eyes from chlorine and reduce sensory discomfort. (We also place eye drops for sensitive and dry eyes in the eyes of my autistic child before they enter the pool so that they do not suffer after from the chlorine)
- Foot fins: These are great for building confidence and make swimming easier. (These are my personal favourites) They help your autistic child learn to swim by making swimming easier and less tiring, especially in the beginning.
- Swimming rings: A fantastic tool for getting them used to floating.
You do not need to use all these items at once. Introduce these items during bath time or playtime and not just at the pool.
For example, let them wear goggles around the house or use pool toys in the bath. By the time they are ready for the pool, the equipment will feel familiar and stimulating
Step 3 – Show/Tell them about other people swimming
Show your child what swimming looks like before their first trip to the pool.
We made sure to include a lot of:
-
- Watch videos of kids swimming.
- Read picture books about swimming.
- Talk about what to expect in simple terms.
- Let them watch you or a sibling swim first.
If possible, take your child to visit the pool ahead of time.
Let them explore the area, hear the sounds, and watch others swim.
This way, the pool will not feel like a complete mystery when it is time to dive in.
Again, do this well in advance before you actually take them swimming, since preparation is best beforehand!
Step 4 – Be with them.
When it is time for their first swim, be there with them.
You are their comfort zone, and your presence will help them feel secure.
Avoid handing them off to a stranger, like a swim instructor, right away. It is much nicer to help your autistic child learn to swim if you guide them initially.
We normally start in the shallow end. Hold them, talk to them, and gently encourage them to explore.
I then show them how to kick their legs and float using their inflatable gear.
Be patient and celebrate every little milestone, no matter how small it may seem. Remember, it is not about how quickly they learn. It is about building confidence and trust.
Celebrate every small step. They will feel your excitement and confidence.
If they can watch other family members or even yourself first and understand that there is no danger, then they might be more happy to come into the water.
Step 5: Push (Gently!) Beyond Their Comfort Zone
Autistic children thrive on routine and familiarity, but sometimes they need a little nudge to try something new.
Encourage your child to explore deeper waters or try new swimming activities, but always at their pace.
Do not let fear of the water hold them back!
Gradually encourage them to go deeper, try new activities, or take off their inflatable gear when they are ready.
It might take a few tries, but they may surprise you—and themselves—by loving it.
Do not give up if they seem hesitant at first. Often, it takes several exposures before they feel comfortable and confident.
And who knows. They may absolutely love it!
Sometimes, it takes a few times before they decide that they absolutely love it!
Step 6: Teach Basic Swimming Skills
Once your child is comfortable in the water, you can start teaching them basic swimming techniques:
- Hold your breath: Show them how to hold their breath when their face goes underwater to avoid swallowing water – which lets me honest is not always the cleanest. It is also to prevent them swallowing water and feeling like they are choking. Which can be traumatic for them and maybe make them not want to go into the pool again.
- Effective breathing: Teach them to breathe in a way that keeps them calm and prevents your autistic child feeling lightheaded.
These skills are essential for safety and make swimming a more enjoyable experience. They help build confidence and prevent unpleasant experiences that could discourage them from swimming again.
Step 7: Beach Tips (Optional)
If you are heading to the beach, pack a few extra items to make the experience more enjoyable:
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- Swimming shoes: Protect their feet from sharp rocks and hot sand.
- Goggles: Saltwater can sting, so goggles are essential to keep salty water out of their eyes. Eye drops are also a favourite of ours because the water can sting and make swimming uncomfortable.
- Snorkeling gear: If they are feeling adventurous, this can be a fun way to explore underwater life.
Make it fun by exploring the seabed together—it’s like a little underwater adventure!
Step 8: Take Your Time and Celebrate the Journey
Not every child takes to swimming immediately, and that is okay.
It is a step by step process, and every small achievement is worth celebrating.
If your child does not enjoy swimming now, try again in a year or two.
The key is patience and persistence. You can always place them in swimming classes and lessons also if they decide they like it.
The way we helped our Autistic child learn to swim
We spent an entire day at the swimming pool!
From Morning till Dinner!
Our Experience
When we took our autistic child swimming, we made a whole day of it.
At first, they would not go near the water without their inflatable arm bands, and that was perfectly okay.
We started in the shallow end, letting them play and explore at their own pace.
Eventually, we moved to deeper water.
I carried them, held them close, and slowly let go, all while reassuring them that they were safe.
By the end of the day, they were floating on their own with just the arm bands – a huge achievement!
Seeing their confidence grow was one of the most rewarding moments.
After this, it is really just about teaching them how to swim and get to a point where they can take their arm rings off.
I recommend that while allowing your autistic child learn to swim, have them wear the foot fins so that they do not experience immediate exhaustion and tire themselves out too much.
And really, it is just to help your autistic child learn to swim by getting them used to the motions of swimming.
Remember
Not all kids are the same.
My typical child absolutely hates swimming and being in the water.
And a lot of children between ages of 2 and 4 hate it.
Do not be discouraged and after a few tries – if your child still hates it then wait a few years and try again.
It really does have to be a step by step system.
Each individual slow step is a preparation for the next slow step!
Final Thoughts
Helping your autistic child learn to swim requires patience, preparation, and a lot of love.
Start small, introduce them to the water gradually, and be their biggest cheerleader.
Celebrate every success, no matter how small, and remember that progress looks different for every child.
Most importantly, have fun!
Swimming is not just about learning a life skill – it is about creating beautiful memories together.
With time, your child might even beg you to take them swimming, and when that day comes, you will know all your efforts were worth it.
Good luck, and happy swimming! 🌊