Adam did not always like the water. He was terrified of it earlier on and there was no way we could even consider taking him to a pool. There was just something about the water that would put him instantly into a mad man melt down.
We gradually worked with him to like the water and even more important to swim. I think it is important to teach all children to swim as early as possible. With Autistic kids they have a tendency to wander and especially places near water and I thought it best that we teach him how to swim in case that day ever came when that he would wander.
I have found that the water can be soothing for Adam but only under strict and extremely supervised situations.
I found an interesting read about Aquatic therapy that just might help you if you too have a child with autism or autistic tendencies.
With the broad spectrum of special needs associated with autism, it is good that the spectrum is also receptive to a wide range of intervention methods. Children diagnosed with autism enter life with serious challenges. Learning can be difficult. Communication can be difficult. Showing and receiving affection can be difficult. Performing daily tasks such as eating can be difficult. Even playtime for a child with autism is fraught with sensory interference and disruptive anxieties.
Water may make a difference in the midst of all of these difficulties. Aquatic therapy is being used as an effective recreational treatment but further studies are required to determine the long term results. Even as autism causes pervasive neurobiological deficiencies, there is the ongoing conviction that delayed cognitive functioning can be developed. This is the inspiring assumption behind all intervention methods, including aquatic therapy.
The water environment appears to meet several needs of a child with autism that enables the child to respond well to therapy and grow. The pressure of water is comforting to a child with autism. The warm temperature of water also provides an optimum learning environment for a child. Even though children with autism often under or over react to tactile stimuli, they still need to experience it.
Aquatic therapy provides an appropriate measure of input that does not overwhelm a child with sensory issues but provides enough so the child can develop their ability to process increasing amounts of tactile stimuli. As Laurie Jake, writer of the article “Autism and the Role of Aquatic Therapy in Recreational Therapy Treatment Services” puts it,
“This pressure actually soothes and calms the children, providing the necessary sensory input they crave.”
A child’s negative reaction to sensory input does not mean that child does not inherently want that input. They need to experience it just like every other person needs to experience it, but they need to grow the functioning to process it. Aquatic therapy facilitates this functioning. An article by Hear Our Voices states that,
“a majority of clinicians reported a substantial increase in tolerating touch following aquatic therapy.”
There are other properties of water which may also contribute to the development of a child with autism and sensory hindrances. Water makes the body lighter by 90%, reducing stress on the body during therapeutic exercises. The warm temperature of water calms the muscles, an important feature for children who deal with spasticity and tension in the muscles due to anxiety. Because of these benefits of an aquatic environment, children with autism enjoy their time learning and developing their abilities. The energy required to move against the force of water tends to decrease a child’s excess energy and enhance their sleeping and eating.
There are external factors in the pool environment to consider when it comes to participating in aquatic therapy. These will be discussed in the next article, as well as other potential gains made by children with autism through aquatic therapy.
However, most results reported are anecdotal and similarly to our report earlier this week on massage therapy, more research is required.
What I have further learned is that even children with autism will all react differently to various stimuli, while my son initially hated the water most are drawn to it automatically. I am glad that he did not fall into that percentage and allowed us to teach him to respect water, learn how to float and swim in the water. Even with all the training, I do not think I could ever leave anyone unsupervised for any reason whatsoever. It just is not a smart idea.
Various hospitals are now introducing programs for children of autism and other developmental delays called Sensory Supported Swimming.
Here is some information about such a program found in the Kansas University program but I would encourage you to reach out and contact your local hospital to see if such programs are offered at their facility.
Swimming can be a great physical outlet and life-saving skill for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In addition to promoting health, swimming reduces stereotypic behaviors and increases social behaviors of some children facing these challenges.
A swimming and water safety program for children ages 4 to 17 with autism spectrum disorders
Partnering with Autism Speaks, the KU Department of Occupational Therapy Education developed the Sensory Supported Swimming program to teach swimming and water safety to children with ASD. To promote successful learning, instructors combine evidence-based teaching methods with sensory strategies matched to the unique needs of each child. Each session consists of eight 30-minute lessons. Individual and small group lessons are available to meet the learning needs of children.
For information about program costs, location, scheduling and more, contact sensoryswim@kumc.edu
http://www.sensoryswim.com/
"Sensory Swim is helping children with
autism fight back against the dangers
of wandering one extremely enjoyable,
exceedingly effective, perfectly fitted,
private swim lesson at a time"
- Buzzfeed
Selected Resources and Publications
Authored by KU's Lauren Foster, this article offers the ins and outs of navigating swimming and swim lessons. While examples of children with disabilities are provided, these solutions apply to all children. Read
Mische Lawson, L. (2014, June). Supporting Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Swimming and Recreation.American Therapeutic Recreation Association Webinar Series H: Autism I. Available for purcahse at ATRA-online.org.
Mische Lawson, L., Foster, L., Strode, M., & Weller, C. (2014). Effects of a swim program for children with autism spectrum disorder on skills, interest, and participation in swimming. American Journal of Recreational Therapy, (3)2, 17-27.
Foster, L., Cox, J., & Mische-Lawson, L.; Englert Shutrump, S.; and Lutman, A. (2014), Staying in sight: Addressing children’s mental health and safety. OT Practice, 19(6), 8–13. http://dx.doi.org/10.7138/otp.2014.196f1 (I)
Mische Lawson, L., Cox, J., & Foster, L. (2013). Swimming as a physical activity for children with autism spectrum disorders. Exceptional parent, 43(3).
Franken, L., Mische Lawson, L., & Santalucia, S. (2013, April). Aquatics: Promoting quality of life, health and wellness. OT Practice. 16-21.
