children are diagnosed with ASD every hour. That’s about 1.3 million diagnosed every year.
That’s how many times more likely drowning occurrence is for someone with ASD than a child without.
of parents in our community have left other aquatic services due to them not understanding their child’s needs.
As you are no doubt aware, teaching swimming to individuals on the autism spectrum and with other abilities can have its challenges, and requires specialist training, procedures, resources and support.
Becoming Autism Swim Approved will equip you with the knowledge, skills, resources and confidence that you need, to most effectively teach to your swimmers who need some extra support in the water.
Autism Swim are international wandering and drowning prevention specialists, who understand the complexities of different learning styles, goals and approaches, and the support mechanisms necessary to educate all swimmers on water safety, water therapy and learn-to-swim.
We’ll help you facilitate stronger outcomes for your swimmers who need a little extra support in the water.
Gain access to comprehensive online training instantly, at your own time.
Receive an extensive set of monthly resources such as lesson plans, program templates, visuals, “what to do when” factsheets and skill focuses to set you up for success.
Get our free marketing goodies like signage and stickers, to show the world that you are Autism Swim Approved.
With our Premium option, you will have direct access to our expert team of occupational therapists, autism specialists and behaviour specialists, whenever you need guidance in the disability sphere.
Expand your services by featuring on our website and social media networks as a recommended provider, following your Autism Swim approval.
Exclusive access to our private Facebook group where you can interact and learn from other Autism Swim Approved Instructors.
Online training ONLY
Online training and certification
Monthly resources
Listing on Autism Swim website
Referrals through Autism Swim website
Online training and certification
Monthly resources
Priority listing on Autism swim website
Referrals through Autism Swim website
A center and services audit and report
Unlimited support from Autism Swim's clinical team
Bi-monthly video conference with Autism Swim supervisor
Autism Swim merchandise pack
Whilst the value in becoming Autism Swim Approved is obviously in the knowledge, ongoing support, professional development and stronger outcomes being achieved for your swimmers, being able to so very easily justify the costs is a nice extra 😉 ONE referral from us over the whole year and you’ve earned the costs back. To put this into context, most instructors are receiving 15 referrals in their first week with us!
*Based on Value or Premium membership packages, and Australian 1:1 prices for aquatics programs.
The initial training session includes a range of topics, including what it means to have an ASD diagnosis; common co-occurring conditions; behaviours of concern; communication; wandering; the relationship between swimming/aquatics and ASD; sensory difficulties; drownings; child protection; and Positive Behaviour Support (to name just a few). The monthly resources you receive are very targeted to specific aquatic skill-sets, common challenges experienced and different methodologies to use with your swimmers.
You’re under no obligation to use all of the resources, ideas, etc. that we give you. They are there as a guide. Keep in mind that we don’t give you a set program for your swimmers, as no such thing exists which is going to be relevant to all of your swimmers. Instead, we give you the knowledge, support and a toolbox of resources which allow you to tailor your lessons according to each swimmer’s needs, preferences, learning styles and goals.
It’ll be time to upgrade your training, knowledge and expertise!
We are on a constant pursuit to learn more and better our skills, and we hope you are too! Each year, our training and resources become more advanced. You will develop a deeper understanding of occupational therapy, exercise physiotherapy and behavioural support concepts.
Of course, you have the option not to renew if your path is taking you in a different direction – in which instance we’ll take your details off the website and you will not have any access to the learning material or support group.
We have a locations tab on our website. Families can enter their postcode to find their closest Autism Swim Approved Provider. Alternatively, they contact us via email and we provide them with the necessary details for the certified provider closest to them. We find that more often than not, the cost of signing up with Autism Swim as a centre is quickly covered by the number of new referrals coming to you.
We always recommend 1:1 lessons, as least to begin with. This allows you to target some key individualised goals and safety skills for the participant. As their skills increase, you may then like to look into part of the lesson being undertaken with another student of similar skill-sets (and build up from there), however this will be dependent on the individual goals of the swimmer. Although we suggest 1:1 initially, as long as your lessons do not exceed 1:3 in ratio, they can still be considered as part of the Autism Swim program. It all comes down to the goals and needs of your individual swimmer.
Autism Swim stipulates the following qualifications as prerequisites to becoming Autism Swim Approved:
Anyone who does not meet these prerequisites, are welcome to undertake Autism Swim’s training and receive Autism Swim’s resources, however will not be considered Autism Swim Approved until one of the above prerequisites is met;
