Sensory Supported Swimming for Children With ASD (SSS)

The purpose of Sensory Supported Swimming is to provide a sustainable, low cost recreational swim program for children with ASD. A secondary purpose is to train general recreation providers and swim instructors to meet the unique needs of children. Specific aims include both program development and research aims as described below. Specific Aims: 1. Provide more opportunities for families of children with ASD to access a recreational swim program at low cost. (program development) 2. Increase the capacity of swim instructors and general recreation providers working with children with ASD. (Research) 3. Increase physical activity for children with ASD in a way that is a good match for their individual sensory needs. (Research) 4. Increase safety among children with ASD in and around the water so they and their families can swim safely. (Research) 5. Transition swimmers with ASD from a learn-to-swim program to an inclusive swim team. (Program Development) Hypotheses The Sensory Supported Swim Program will increase physical activity of children with ASD. The Sensory Supported Swim Program will increase safety of children with ASD in and around the water. The Sensory Supported Swim Program will increase the capacity of general recreation providers and swim instructors to serve children with ASD.

To decrease risk of drowning, increase opportunities to engage in a lifelong sport, and increase the capacity of general recreation providers, investigators developed a recreational swim program for children with ASD. The purpose of this program is to provide swimming and water safety instruction for children with ASD. A secondary purpose is to train general recreation providers and swim instructors to meet the unique needs of children. Research of this program includes investigating the effects of swimming on health outcomes (i.e., fitness, BMI) of children with ASD. SSS lessons are provided in eight week sessions six times per year. Lessons are individualized according to the child's sensory preferences (as measured by the Sensory Profile). Instructors use evidence-based teaching methods (i.e., visual supports, demonstration, peer and video modelling, sensory modifications) to teach swimming and water safety skills. Children may enroll for as many sessions as desired. Research includes retrospective review of program records.

A swimming and water safety program for children with autism spectrum disorders. Individualized instruction utilizing evidence-based teaching methods and sensory modifications.

This outcome measure was created for the study to measure changes in swimming and water safety skills. The skill acquisition form is supplemented with weekly progress notes.

Instructors are surveyed at least annually to determine if Sensory Supported Swimming is increasing their competence to serve children with autism spectrum disorders

Parents of program participants are surveyed at least annually to determine if Sensory Supported Swimming is increasing children's physical activity and safety around water

Inclusion Criteria: Autism diagnosis (any autism spectrum diagnosis) Order of response Exclusion Criteria: Children with sensory impairments (i.e., blindness, deafness) Based on the discretion of the program directors, participants that display aggressive or harmful behaviors may be excluded for safety purposes

Lawson LM, Foster L. Sensory Patterns, Obesity, and Physical Activity Participation of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Am J Occup Ther. 2016 Sep-Oct;70(5):7005180070p1-8. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2016.021535.