Here on this site we try and help you with day to day activities, today we’re looking at swimming with an autistic child.

Swimming is a pastime that most children enjoy. It is a chance for them to have fun whilst at the same time getting some exercise.

But as we know, with an autistic child complications can take the edge off the family fun.

Firstly let’s look at why swimming may be challenging for an autistic child. We’ll then consider some ways you can make it a more enjoyable event.

Why swimming can be tough

I think most parents of autistic children have had a share of struggles at the local pool.

Here are some possible reasons why;

Danger and following instructions

Let’s start with a very obvious statement… swimming pools are dangerous places for kids.

You have the obvious risk of drowning at the extreme end of the scale. But you also have hazards such as falling over on the slippery edges or swallowing gulps of pool water.

These risks can be averted usually with clear communication and explanation from parents.

However when a child has autism there are often communication and understanding factors in play.

Put simply it’s hard for parents to explain the risks to their autistic children. This makes a trip to the pool even more hazardous.

Toilet issues

If your autistic child is toilet trained and reliable around the pool then this will not apply.

But if like many of us your child has still not mastered toileting then this is an extra stress factor.

Yes swimming diapers/nappies are available but they don’t always go to the size you need.

Plus without wanting to be crude, as our children get bigger, so do their number 2’s. So they don’t always fit snugly in a swimming nappy.

Leaving times

Like with everything else in life, all good things come to an end at some point.

With an autistic child however, the thought of leaving the pool whilst in mid flow can be meltdown inducing.

Many swimming pools have timed sessions but even if not, after a couple of hours parents have usually had enough.

They then are faced with the prospect of breaking the news to their child and leaving in somehow a dignified manner.

Sensory factors

The pool environment can be overwhelming for an autistic child.

There are the bright lights, the loud noises, the smell of chlorine, and the feeling of the water on their skin.

On the subject of skin, some autistic children also don’t like the feeling of rubber from swimming aides on their skin.

All of these sensory inputs can be overwhelming for an autistic child, making it difficult for them to focus and relax.

Tips for swimming with an autistic child

From experience, here are some things to consider. If you have any more tips please leave a comment and we can add them to the article.

Plan in advance

This has probably been the most successful tactic in our household. By showing our son a schedule of what to expect at swimming has helped no end.

Through simple images we demonstrated the process involved including getting changed, staying safe and the end of the session.

Even having images of things like whistles can pre warn your child there may be loud sudden noises.

Pick a time and a place

Another tactic which has helped has been choosing sessions wisely.

Firstly it is always worth establishing if any pools nearby have dedicated special needs sessions. At such events they often ditch the whistles, lower the lights and have fewer attendees.

If a SEN session isn’t an option, consider going during quiet periods.

We have found either first thing in the morning or early evening to be a lot more compatible with our needs.

Equip yourselves

There are a plethora of tools available for autistic children and swimming. These include water-resistant ear defenders, large swimming nappies and flotation aides.

Also from experience it is also important to have a range of toys to play with in pools.

Autistic children often don’t grasp the concept of other people’s toys and our son just grabs whatever he sees.

So when another child has innocently left a toy on the side of the pool he will swoop and start to play with it.

With that being the case we have had to arm ourselves with all sorts of toys to play with in the pool.

We don’t always get them out immediately but have them nearby for such circumstances.

Make sure they are well fed

There are plenty of articles online explaining why you shouldn’t eat just prior to swimming. Don’t be alarmed, we’re not going to contradict that.

Parents should be aware however that swimming can be one of the most calorie burning activities out there.

Children can get hungry and thirsty very quickly around the pool.

If your child struggles with communication they may not be able to explain this to you either.

So our advice would be to try and ensure your child had a good meal before they swim (just not immediately before).

Summary

Swimming with an autistic child can be a stressful and challenging experience.

But with that said with the right equipment and some pre planning a lot of the worries can be reduced.

With time and support, our autistic children can learn to enjoy swimming and reap the benefits of this healthy activity.

Any tips or ideas?

We would love to hear from you if you have got any techniques or ideas for our readers to try.

Be sure to leave a comment if any of the above has helped or if you have any ideas we can add to this article.

Also be sure to search for any other articles you might find helpful.

Try for example searching below for topics like ‘meltdown’ or ‘communication’.