Swim Lessons for Special Needs

Updated on December 10, 2009
B.C. asks from Frisco, TX
6 answers

I have a 7 yr old daughter that is special needs - developmentally, not physically. Anyway, we just bought a new home with a swimming pool and I would really like for her to learn to swim. Do you know of any programs that can teach swimming to special needs kids? I recently took her to Emler-Plano for a swim evaluation to see if they could help her, but I left there feeling like they were not staffed to work with her. The girl at the front desk seemed to be afraid to even say the word "special needs". Needless to say, we will not be back there. Ideally, we could have someone come to our home and give my daughter private lessons, but I am totally open to taking her for lessons if the person has experience and "success" teaching special needs kids to swim. Please give me your recommendations and let me know of any positive experiences you have had.

Thanks in advance!

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J.C.

answers from Dallas on

The Landry Center at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas has year round swimming lessons in their indoor pool called Fish Factory. There was a child with CP in my son's class and they seemed to do a great job with him. I hope that helps!

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T.T.

answers from Dallas on

The Plano Parks and Recreation has services/activities for special needs children, including swimming lessons. It sounds just like what you are looking for. Hope it works for you!

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K.C.

answers from Dallas on

I forwarded your question to a friend of mine who I knew could help you. She is involved with Special Education in the Lewisville ISD. Here's her response:

I know of several options. The place we take our son to is the Coppell YMCA. They have “adaptive swim lessons” that are 1-on-1 instruction, and the cost is only $50/month for weekly 30 minute lessons. That’s less than what I’ve paid for group lessons, so quite a steal! He has been going for about a year now and he’s made good progress. We’ve switched instructors for the new school year, but both instructors we’ve had have been experienced and very good at working with him on his level and following our behavior plan for him. He really enjoys going.

The other option that I know of is Aquakids, which is in Flower Mound off of Cross Timbers. They have one instructor in particular who is good with special needs. But their programs are pricey, and I’m not sure they cut parents of special needs kids a break the way the Coppell Y does.

There are some other options for the summertime, I know that Lewisville Park and Rec will do 1:1 at the same cost as group lessons but only if you call and specifically ask. Also, there’s a college student whose father is the LHS Swim Coach, and she teaches private lessons in her backyard pool in the summer. Her name is Kelly Gargan. But those are summertime only.

There is a Special Needs Service Provider Directory online at: http://lisdseptsa.txpta.org/index.php?module=dynamic_page.... You can download it or request a hard copy.

Also you may want to let her know about SEPTSA’s BigTent email list, since the general listserve is often used for questions and sharing information just like this. She can sign up at this link: https://www.bigtent.com/groups/septsa

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K.K.

answers from Dallas on

When I took my two girls to Swim Plus in Plano, the child after us did have some special needs that they handled very well. They do the lessons one on one so that helps the success rate for all the children.

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K.D.

answers from Dallas on

A friend of mine who's son is Autistic took swim lessons at Aqua Kids in Flower Mound. He does great now and she said they were very patient with him. o if you dont mind the little bit of drive I would recommend AquaKids.

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R.T.

answers from Dallas on

My son has sensory integration disorder and aspergers and we go to Aquakids. He is in a class with 3 other kids and they do wonderful with him!

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