Swimming programme for children with autism

Swimming programme for children with autism

27 April 2022

DOWNPATRICK Autism Family Support Group has welcomed a swimming programme specifically designed for children with autism.

To celebrate Autism Awareness and Acceptance month, Northern Ireland’s leading inclusive swim school, Swimming Buddies, in partnership with the group, brought a part-funded introduction to swimming programme to Down Leisure Centre last week. 

The Swimming Buddies programme is well established across Northern Ireland and has been providing specialist swim instruction for five years. The programme is certified on an international level through Autism Swim, ensuring all coaches are up to date with training and delivering the best inclusive swim coaching. 

The four-day introduction aimed to show how swimming provides the life saving skill of water awareness, as well as the ability to learn to swim, developing social skills and friendships. 

Project co-ordinator Áine Sloan, from Downpatrick Autism Family Support Group, said: “The last four days has shown how invaluable this service is for our community.

“This has been a life saving experience for our children, allowing them to form a healthy relationship with water as well as developing their social skills. 

Attending the launch of the programme was Newry, Mourne and Down Council chairwoman Cathy Mason.

Sarah Jane Woods, founder of Swimming Buddies, added: “We like to take a goal-focused approach to our Autism Awareness Month activities by choosing projects that facilitate positive attitudes and discussions which is why we were delighted to work with Downpatrick Autism Family Support Group to implement this program with Down Leisure Centre with an all-inclusive swim approach.

“Each child received 1:1 specialist swim coaching with our highly trained instructors as well as a Swirl Global Buddies pack filled with sensory toys to help their enjoyment of the water.”