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Lessons for Children with Special Abilities

At Swimtastic, we believe that all children are safer and happier when they learn the basics of water safety, no matter the challenges they face. Our Adaptive Aquatics program considers the basic goals of each swimmer as we promote comfort in the water, focus on safety, and teach the basics of swimming to the extent a child’s physical and developmental ability allows.

Will my child with special abilities benefit from swimming lessons?

Lessons can also be therapeutic and, for many swimmers with special abilities, very calming. Water can soothe sensory overload and give swimmers a feeling of weightlessness and relief from physical discomfort. Other benefits include balance, coordination, strength, and range of motion. It’s not uncommon for parents to notice confidence and self-esteem boost, either. When your child learns how to swim with Swimtastic, they receive all the benefits of swimming in a safe, and supportive environment.

Individualized lesson plans are structured based on the goals and the interests of the swimmer.

Children with special abilities best succeed with flexible, patient, empathic teachers who use individual-focused methods. Swimtastic brand Certified™ Adaptive Aquatics instructors have experience teaching the necessary skills at the appropriate time for children with a variety of special abilities, including:

  • ADHD
  • Autism or ASD and other related developmental challenges
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Down syndrome
  • Sensory struggles
  • Other Physical challenges

Our Programs:

Therapeutic Aquatic Program (T.A.P.)
Therapeutic lessons best help swimmers with muscular and limb challenges or those who struggle with head control. The goal of this program is to help children gain strength while using buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure. With this program, it is important to have a parent, caregiver or physical therapist present with you as we begin to understand the child’s movement capabilities and challenges.

Adapted Swim Levels
Our three Adapted Swim levels utilize a specific framework and structure that helps swimmers with special abilities achieve milestones, while still allowing for flexibility and adaptation for individualized lesson plans and goals. These levels incorporate foundational safety skills as well as foundational swimming skills.

Adaptive Aquatics

Get Started

Our Adaptive Aquatics program at participating locations starts with an online questionnaire form that allows us to understand your swimmer, and their goals, and helps us develop a plan to best fit their unique challenges and abilities. We then set up a time for an on-site orientation before enrolling in lessons.

In our Adaptive Aquatics program, we recommend swimmers start with private classes to ensure proper instruction and safety. We work together with you and at the swimmer’s pace through our curriculum to reach goals and objectives.

Do you offer tuition support for the Adaptive Aquatics program?

While we do not directly offer tuition support for swimming lessons for children with special abilities, we do partner with third-party organizations that may be able to help. We’d love to welcome your child to swim class, so please get in touch with your local Swimtastic team to learn more.

Find a Location

THE SWIMTASTIC DIFFERENCE

325,000+ Kids

now have the life skill and know the joy of swimming

Proven Curriculum

developed by world class and Olympic champions

12 Million+ Lessons

taught by passionate, Certified Instructors

TESTIMONIALS

John S.

“The class size is small, and my son gets the one on one attention he needs to learn.”

Olivia H.

“My daughter didn't want to leave and kept talking about her lesson the whole weekend long!”

Kelsey S.

“The teachers are wonderful and the facilities are clean and welcoming.”

OTHER PROGRAMS

  • Infant & Toddler Swim Lessons
  • Children’s Swim Lessons
  • Adult Swim Lessons
  • Private Swim Lessons
  • Swim Camps & Clinics
  • Swim Team Prep
  • Swim Party
  • Family Open Swim
Infant & Toddler Swim Lessons

INFANT & TODDLER SWIM LESSONS

We offer infant swim and toddler lessons as early as 6 months of age to help build confidence and get your child comfortable in the water. In our ParentTot classes, parent-child combos bond with their kiddos while teaching the foundation of vital water safety skills like breath control, floating and kicking in a warm water environment. Our Toddler Transition class is focused on teaching water safety skills while transitioning the swimmer to learn independently of mom and dad.

Children’s Swim Lessons

Children’s Swim Lessons

We have swimming lessons for children of all ages and levels. Whether your child is just starting to get comfortable in the water or moving on to more advanced techniques we have you covered. Our progressive curriculum of beginner level classes all the way up to our advanced level classes will help take your child from bubbles to butterfly®. We offer a variety of class types from small group classes featuring a 4:1 student to teacher ratio to semi-private and private lessons.

Adult Swim Lessons

Infant Swim Lessons

Whether you are just starting out, overcoming a fear of water or a more advanced swimmer our program gives adult swimmers at every level the opportunity to improve their skills.  We offer a variety of class types from small group classes for adults of similar skill levels to semi-private and private lessons. It’s never too late to learn the life saving skill of swimming. Jump-in, our water is warm!

Private Swim Lessons

Private Swim Lessons

At Swimtastic our private swim lessons allow adults and children of all ages and levels to progress through our curriculum at their own pace with one of our certified swim teachers. Each 30 minute class will be customized around mastering the skills to become a better, stronger, and safer swimmer. 

Swim Camps & Clinics

Swim Camps & Clinics

Our swim camps are perfect for students looking for a shorter, more intensive program outside of their weekly lessons. Our camps are usually condensed into 1, 2 or 3 week sessions where swimmers join us multiple times a week to focus on improving swim skills at a faster pace. This is a perfect program to jump start your swimmers skills and fill your spring break and summer break with our favorite activity … swimming!

Swim Team Prep

Swim Team Prep

Ready for more? Our Swim Team Prep classes focus on improving endurance, strength and stroke technique for swimmers that want to refine their swimming skills. Classes include a set workout with an out of water coach whose primary goal is to mimic the experience one would have on a recreational swim team. Our Swim Team Prep program is for kids who are wanting to join a swim team in the future or who just love the sport of swimming and want to continue on as their form of exercise.

Swim Party

Swim Party

We can help you celebrate any occasion with our swim parties. Whether it's a birthday party, end of season party for the team, Scout party, or any other reason to have a great time, you will have a blast by celebrating it at Swimtastic. Your party will include time in our 90 degree pool (with a lifeguard of course) and time in our party area to celebrate with treats of your choice.  Contact us to learn more about party packages available. We promise, this party will not be a belly flop!

Family Open Swim

Family Open Swim

Our family open swim is a great time to practice swimming skills outside of lessons and have fun with the family. Our warm-water pools make for a great way to spend the day splashing around and staying active. We can’t think of a better family activity!

OTHER LOCATIONS