The idea
Angela's Swim School has instructors trained to support children with ASD and ADHD. Many of our children will not have experienced water in a swimming pool setting so may have high anxiety, fear of water, and sensory challenges. We plan to indroduce the children to the water activity and to give them swimming lessons in a 10 session block. We have learning aids to give to the children to help them understand and to communicate whilst experiencing the water. The children will be aged 7-12 years with a neurological or learning disability. This is a collaboration between Beams and the Angela's Swim School as we have the children on our membership database and all will have individual support plans. The average cost for each child to receive specialist swimming instruction is £300 per child. There is huge demand for this service but we have been unable to offer it as a part of our holiday playschemes due to funding. We believe every child shoud have the opportunity to learn to swim.
What we'll deliver
- Swimming lessons to children with ASD or ADHD
- Building Confidence in the water
- Improving mental health for disabled children
- A safe introduction to a life saving skill
Why it's a great idea
Children with ASD or learing disabilities will not be excluded from swimming pools.
They will use muscles not normally used , as they strengthen their heart and lungs. There is also lots of evidence that swimming improves mental health and general wellbeing. It also develops self confidence and gives a physical life skill they can go on to enjoy with friends. Children will sleep better after the physical effort of swimming, and the parents will get a break while the child experiences the water.
Steps to get it done
- Creating the communication packs for swimmers
- Offering the swimming lessons to parents
- Scheduling the sessions for the children
- Evaluating the success of the impact of the swimming
Angela's swim school has offered heavily reduced specialist help as Angela Wilson (CEO) has a daughter with ASD that was excluded from mainstream activities during her primary and secondary years. Angela does not want anyone else to go through what she went through as a parent with her child. She came to Beams for help and we supported her. That is why she is happy to collaborate with Beams.
