Supporting swimmers with additional needs

As part of our commitment to most effectively teach swimmers with additional support needs, we're delighted to be Autism Swim certified.

Here at Daddy Shark Swim School we teach swimmers with a range of additional support needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Global Development Delay, Pathological Demand Avoidance, Cerebral Palsy, Down’s syndrome, depression, anxiety, deafness and other mental, learning and physical conditions.

Autism Swim is an international social enterprise that specialises in wandering and drowning prevention teaching for those with ASD and other abilities.

Autism Swim’s certification packages have been developed combining the expertise of autism specialists, behaviour specialists, occupational therapists and swimming instructors, and gives teachers the knowledge, skills, resources and confidence needed to most effectively teach swimmers who need extra support in the water—in addition to being able to provide effective advice to parents/carers.

The initial training covers a range of foundational topics, including but not limited to: ASD diagnosis, teaching methodologies, communication (both receptive and expressive), sensory difficulties, drowning education, child protection, autism and the water, wandering, behaviours of concern and comorbidity. This is all accompanied by monthly resources and ongoing support from the Autism Swim team.

Autism Swim was established in 2016 by Founder and Clinical Director Erika Gleeson (G.C Autism, B.A Behavioural Science). Erika is a senior behaviour and skill development specialist in ASD and cognitive deficit; and is widely recognised as the leading expert in wandering and drowning prevention for those with ASD/cognitive deficit. For further information, please visit Autism Swim’s website.

Please note: not all of the lessons we provide are suitable for all children with ASD and additional abilities. If your child has additional support needs, please contact us to discuss their needs and arrange a suitable trial lesson.