# Recreation, Community & Family Life — Sensory-Friendly Activities (KU Aquatics) **About the Speakers:** - [Lisa Mische Lawson](https://www.kumc.edu/lmische-lawson.html) is a professor of Occupational Therapy at KUMC and director of the therapeutic science doctoral program — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* - Kayla Hamner was a former OT student and graduate research assistant of Lisa's at KU. She is the program manager of SEA. — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* **SEA Program:** - Sensory Enhanced Aquatics is a swimming and water safety program for children with autism spectrum disorders. — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* - Most crucial piece of advice from Lisa: **Start a precedent now that once you are at the pool, your children have to ask your permission before entering the water.** — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* - [KU Sensory Enhanced Aquatics](https://www.kumc.edu/school-of-health-professions/academics/departments/occupational-therapy-education/outreach/ku-sensory-enhanced-aquatics.html) — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* - Designed to teach children with autism and other sensory processing disorders how to swim and be safe around water — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* - Began 5 years ago. Runs in 4 seasonal intervals (8-14 weeks each) — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* - Cost: ~$14 per 30min session (~$200 for a 14-week interval) — comparable to community swim lessons — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* - 1-on-1 instructors (typically PT/OT/SLP students from KUMC) — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* - Modified Red Cross curriculum with evidence-based techniques (visual schedules, token economy, behavior shaping). Still [US Swim](https://university.usaswimming.org/landing) Approved. — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* - ~60 slots open per season. **Sessions fill within 30 seconds** of signups opening. Sign up for the mailing list early! — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* **Schedule (Summer 2025):** - Mondays @ Lenexa Rec Center YOUTH (4-18 yrs) — June 2nd–Aug 4th: 5:45, 6:20, 7:00 — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* - Wednesdays @ Merriam Community Center ADULT (18+) — June 4th–Aug 6th: 6:30 and 7:25 — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* - Thursdays @ Merriam Community Center YOUTH (4-18 yrs) — June 5th–Aug 7th: 6:00, 6:35, 7:10 — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* - Wed/Fri mornings @ Fairway City Pool YOUTH (biweekly, 4 weeks = 8 lessons) — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* **Ongoing Study:** - Comparing SEA students vs typical community swim classes; sample size 40 — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* - Initial results: students in both SEA and typical classes show similar development in swim skills — possibly due to peer-to-peer reinforcement in group lessons — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* **Broader Mission:** - Community centers often turn away children with autism. KU SEA is developing a curriculum for these learners that can be implemented at community centers nationwide — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* - [5 detailed instructional videos](https://www.kumc.edu/school-of-health-professions/academics/departments/occupational-therapy-education/outreach/ku-sensory-enhanced-aquatics.html) available so you can teach your swimmer yourself — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* **Swimming Advice:** - **Require children to ask permission before entering the water** — even at the pool. Shows them water requires caution. — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* - If your child drinks pool water, try a chewy toy or ball to redirect stimulation — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* - Research suggests **4yo** is when a child is typically old enough for swim lessons — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* - **Caution against "infant swim safety training"** for children with autism — they typically haven't developed fine motor strength to close their mouth quickly enough — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* - **Don't use floaty wings/life jackets for teaching** (great for safety, but for learning they need a noodle or bubble floatie to be horizontal) — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* - Tell your swim instructor about your child's diagnosis — ask for a para in community lessons — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* - Swim shirts and wet suits help address sensory aversions — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* - [Johnson County Developmental Supports Art Gallery](https://jcdsemergingartists-com.3dcartstores.com/) — artists with IDD showcase and sell their work — *[Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson, Apr 2025](/sessions/20250413_Kayla_Hamner_KU_Aquatics/notes.md)* --- [Resource index](/llms.txt) · [Full resources page](/resources/) · [Comprehensive guide](/comprehensive-guide.md)