Published on 12, July, 2020
My 9 year old son is stressing hugely about going swimming with his school class this month.
He did it last year for two weeks - with lessons every afternoon - but found it very overwhelming and the thought of doing it again is leading to daily meltdowns.
He is worried about his head going under - it happened last time briefly once - and struggles to get himself changed and re-dressed in time as he has dyspraxia as well as autism.
The smell of chlorine and the noise of the other children in the pool also cause him a lot of anxiety.
We have tried to reassure him things will be ok and also emphasised how important it is to learn to swim but fear that forcing him to do this may prove counter-productive.
He already finds school extremely stressful and seems burnt out by this. Are we pushing too hard or would allowing him to miss lessons with a view to me teaching him over time be a mistake in the long run?
Swimming for me means peace and tranquility.
BUT ... learning to swim in a small indoor pool where the noise levels are high and echoing, and there are chemical smells and cold, slippery floors can be a horrible experience for any child not just ND one (I remember all too well).
I was lucky. Most of my swimming as a child was outdoors where noise dissipates and there is hardly a smell of chemicals.
I do hope you can find and afford 121 lessons as not only is the ability to swim an important life skill, once mastered it is a great physical activity. These days I can enjoy outdoor sea and lake swimming as part of a group but I am on my own at the same time. In many ways swimming is an ideal activity, doing front crawl you aren't expected to chat, nor maintain eye contact.
Good luck to your son.