Swimming and Water Safety for Children with Autism

Notes from April 13th - Kayla Hamner & Lisa Mische Lawson - KU Sensory Enhanced Aquatics

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.

About the Speakers:

• Lisa Mische Lawson is a professor of Occupational Therapy at KUMC and director of the therapeutic science doctoral program
• Kayla Hamner was a former OT student and graduate research assistant of Lisa's at KU. She is the program manager of SEA.

SEA Program:

• KU Sensory Enhanced Aquatics
• Designed to teach children with autism and other sensory processing disorders how to swim and be safe around water
• Began 5 years ago. Runs in 4 seasonal intervals (8-14 weeks each)
• Cost: ~$14 per 30min session (~$200 for a 14-week interval) — comparable to community swim lessons
• 1-on-1 instructors (typically PT/OT/SLP students from KUMC)
• Modified Red Cross curriculum with evidence-based techniques (visual schedules, token economy, behavior shaping). Still US Swim Approved.
• ~60 slots open per season. Sessions fill within 30 seconds of signups opening. Sign up for the mailing list early!

Schedule (Summer 2025):

• Mondays @ Lenexa Rec Center YOUTH (4-18 yrs) — June 2nd–Aug 4th: 5:45, 6:20, 7:00
• Wednesdays @ Merriam Community Center ADULT (18+) — June 4th–Aug 6th: 6:30 and 7:25
• Thursdays @ Merriam Community Center YOUTH (4-18 yrs) — June 5th–Aug 7th: 6:00, 6:35, 7:10
• Wed/Fri mornings @ Fairway City Pool YOUTH (biweekly, 4 weeks = 8 lessons)

Ongoing Study:

• Comparing SEA students vs typical community swim classes; sample size 40
• 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

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
• 5 detailed instructional videos available so you can teach your swimmer yourself

Swimming Advice:

• Require children to ask permission before entering the water — even at the pool. Shows them water requires caution.
• If your child drinks pool water, try a chewy toy or ball to redirect stimulation
• Research suggests 4yo is when a child is typically old enough for swim lessons
• Caution against "infant swim safety training" for children with autism — they typically haven't developed fine motor strength to close their mouth quickly enough
• 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)
• Tell your swim instructor about your child's diagnosis — ask for a para in community lessons
• Swim shirts and wet suits help address sensory aversions
• Johnson County Developmental Supports Art Gallery — artists with IDD showcase and sell their work