WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) – A group of young children swayed and floated in a spacious indoor pool adorned with fish cutouts on the walls.
This appeared to be an introductory swimming class. However, the instructor worked with each child individually, sometimes pairing them up. To aid communication, cards were provided for the children to point at instead of speaking. No one felt overwhelmed.
All participants in the Small Fish Big Fish Swim School class were children with autism—a developmental disorder that presents unique challenges.
Experts and parents have expressed long-standing concerns about autism, but recent statistics highlight critical issues. In Florida, a state abundant in water, 100 children diagnosed with or assessed for autism have suffered incidents since the beginning of 2021, according to the Palm Beach County Children’s Services Council.
These figures underscore often-overlooked dilemmas. Access to swimming instruction for children with autism can be a significant challenge.
“It’s life-changing for kids with autism,” said a concerned parent, Chrisostome, whose six-year-old son once escaped their home and wandered through a neighborhood filled with lakes. She had previously attempted to enroll him in swimming classes at a public pool, but he refused to enter.
However, in the autism-specific Small Fish class, her son learned to float on his back. When he expressed discomfort—reluctant to have his head submerged—the instructor gently adjusted him to his side, where he felt more at ease.
Autism impacts approximately 1 in 31 children in the U.S. The public’s interest in their water safety has occasionally been sparked by tragedies such as the death of Avonte Oquendo, a teenager with autism who drowned in New York’s waterways in 2014 after vanishing from his school.
Though there is limited academic research on this topic, a 2017 study indicated a significant rise in drowning risks among those with autism spectrum disorder. According to co-author Dr. Guofaua Lee and other experts, these risks are often due to a tendency to wander and an underestimation of potential dangers.
A 5-year-old from Florida tragically accessed her grandmother’s pool through an unsecured doggie door. Another child drowned in a canal after sneaking through a gap in a fence at a playground designed for kids with autism. The Palm Beach County Children’s Services Council reported that one child climbed a bookshelf blocking the doors of her apartment, eventually ending up in a lake. A national database is currently being developed to track these incidents.
“Swimming lessons should be a primary intervention for autism,” remarked Li, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University who is not connected to the council’s research. Lee herself has a son in this situation.
Life-Saving Lessons
Some children with autism excel at swimming, like the New Jersey teens showcased in the 2017 documentary “Swimming Team.” Many others become proficient in the water. Michele Alaniz, a practitioner whose research stemmed from Casa Colina Hospital and the Health Care Center in Pomona, California, noted that even children with severe autism can master basic survival skills with just eight hours of aquatic therapy.
However, some families hesitate to enroll their children in classes. They worry about overwhelming them, as symptoms can range from limited verbal communication to repeated head-banging and sensitivities to noise. Others are removed from programs that cannot accommodate their needs. Private sessions can be beneficial but often come at a high cost.
“It’s crucial to understand the special needs of these children, how to engage with them, and how to ease meltdowns in the pool,” said Lindsay Corey. She shared that her 5-year-old son found general swimming classes too stimulating, but made significant progress with an Autism Society-trained instructor.
As drowning risks gain increased attention, advocates are working to make swimming lessons more accessible. Since 2016, the Australian charity Autism Swim has trained 1,400 swimming teachers, physiotherapists, and others online.
Water: A Space of Fear and Joy
In Florida, the Palm Beach County Children’s Services Council invested $17,000 last year to train numerous instructors through the American Autism Association, according to John Burstein, who conducted a study on autism and mortality. An additional $13,500 funded the Small Fish Big Fish class.
Dozens of students aged 4 to 8 attend nearby autism-specific charter schools. Initially hesitant to board the bus, let alone enter the water, they eventually approached the shallow pool.
A girl floated on a foam board, immersing her face in the water while practicing breath control. Another child giggled as she maneuvered with foam noodles.
“She’s carelessly fearless; she’ll jump into the pool whether she can swim or not,” said her mother, Jana D’Agostino. “This is incredibly important—it’s potentially life-saving.”
On the opposite side of the pool, a boy hesitantly descended the stairs into the water. Melissa Taylor, founder of Little Fish, greeted him. “It’s my turn!” she exclaimed, dipping her head into the water.
He mimicked her but quickly retreated back up the stairs. Taylor continued to encourage him, though he soon exited the pool, swaying his arms in frustration. Each time, the instructor guided him back with patience.
“Building trust takes time,” Taylor explained. Yet, she also noted that the excitement from splashing and movement should be more encouraging than alarming.
The session continued with other children, including Chrisostome’s son, who wore a bright smile.
He learned much in these classes, but what stood out most to her?
“His happiness.”
___
The Associated Press School of Health Sciences receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institution’s Science and Education Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. AP holds sole responsibility for all content.
Source: apnews.com