ADAPTIVE SWIM Instructors:

Raising a child with special needs presents unique challenges, but helping them learn how to swim doesn’t have to be one of them. At LowCountry Swim School, we believe swimming is a life skill®, and that all children are safer and happier when they learn the basics of water safety.

That’s why we offer private swimming lessons for kiddos with unique needs (including special swim lessons for children with autism, sensory struggles, ADHD, physical disabilities, and other challenges.) Swimming lessons keep kids of all ages safer. They can also be therapeutic and, for many special needs children, calming. Water can soothe sensory overload and give swimmers a feeling of weightlessness and relief from physical discomfort. Balance, coordination, strength, and range of motion can all be improved in the water. It’s not uncommon for parents to notice confidence and self-esteem boost, either.

All children should learn the basics of water safety, and how to swim if they are able. Drowning is the #1 cause of accidental death in children with autism. Water provides unique challenges for all sorts of kids with special needs, especially since many kids are drawn to pools, lakes, and even bathtubs. Swim lessons offer a safe and gentle way to strengthen muscles, increase lung capacity, and so much more. You’ll help your child learn water safety, too.

Kids with special needs process the world differently, and they need flexible teachers who use child-focused methods. LowCountry Swim School Certified™ Instructors have experience teaching children with a variety of unique needs, including:

• Autism, Asperger’s and other related developmental syndromes
• Cerebral palsy
• Down syndrome
• Sensory processing disorder and other sensory challenges
• Physical difficulties and disabilities

Prior to your child’s first swim lesson, we’ll chat about your family’s goals, get to know your child's abilities, and you can ask us any questions. You can even come in and meet the team. After this initial meeting, we’ll develop a customized teaching plan and connect you with an experienced instructor who will be a great personality match.

While we do not directly offer tuition support for swimming lessons for special needs children, we do partner with third-party organizations that may be able to help. We’d love to welcome your child to swim class, so please get in touch with our team to learn more.

 The goal of the Down Syndrome Association of the Lowcountry (DSAL) is to support the over 200 families in the Lowcountry area who have a family member with Down Syndrome. We strive to provide social and educational opportunities for our members and our community. 

www.dsalowcountry.org

The Walk For Autism Charleston is not just a community event; it is a powerful platform that can significantly contribute to the support and well-being of individuals with autism and their families. This annual walk brings together a diverse range of people, organizations, and businesses, all united in their commitment to autism awareness, acceptance, and advocacy. By participating in and supporting this event, we can create a positive impact and offer crucial support to individuals with autism and their families. 

www.walkforautismcharleston.org

 Hope Floats partners with high-quality swim schools to provide scholarships for swimming lessons for children living in poverty. Hope Floats raises money by partnering with individuals, businesses, and foundations that want to be a force for good in their communities.  Scholarships and tuition assistance is provided to children who might not otherwise be able to afford swim lessons.   

www.hopefloats.foundation

SC Great Kids and Awesome Adults 

provides resources for families. 

http://www.scgreatkids.com

www.arcsc.org

We are changing the way the world defines and views disabilities by making profound, positive differences in people’s lives every day. Easterseals South Carolina strives to be a leader in the field of delivering exceptional services that help build communities where all people with developmental disabilities have equal opportunities to live, learn, work, and play.

https://www.easterseals.com/southcarolina/