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Swimming

ParentingAutism

Shes a little confused. She wants to go swimming in school for Sport but when the lesson comes she says she's not going to go swimming. I bought her a new swim suit for this which she chose and likes. I know sensory issues come into play but she coped really well last week when I took her swimming. Honestly, it was the first time swimming in years for her and she coped amazingly well! 

She usually struggles with the noise and echos, the temperature change, getting in and out, and showering. In school it will be her first time swimming with them and at a new place. They've visited, made a schedule, made a list of what she needs to bring. They've done everything they can do so far. Now it's her turn to try. She wants me to take her there so its a familiar place before she goes with school but I've said I can't because we are busy this weekend and plus it's an hours journey there, an hour back, got to pay for petrol, and for swimming and it's expensive when you have 3 children and yourself to pay for. 

What else can we do to help her? She is also talking about going swimming on Friday for her weekly point reward, so it's a familiar place ready for Monday. 

  • I can totally understand what she's going through. When I could walk/swim I felt the same way. I really wanted to do it, give it a try but everything about it made me anxious and brought on sensory overload. So many people, so much noise, water temp, feeling exposed in my swimming costume and people splashed me which I hated lol. I imagine she's much the same and it's bound to be on her mind and the fact it's a new place will upset her.

    I think all you can do is support her and reassure her everything will be ok. This will make her feel a bit more comfortable. Perhaps the first time she won't get in, maybe she won't the next time but eventually she will give it a try. Perhaps she just needs to observe it a couple of times before she does it. I used to do that, would just sit and watch the others and eventually I got in. It might be an idea to call them and explain so they can also support and encourage her.

    I'm sorry she finds it difficult bless her but I do understand why. It can be hard swimming especially with others in a new place.

  • in reply to izakkimsey

    She did have a pool in the garden, one she bought herself for the family. We have a dog and it just got torn apart unfortunately. She did not use it once, it was only us. Her Grandma has a pool and won't even use that. She hasn't been swimming in years really. She did go to an outside sea water pool with inflatables and was happy with that. 

    It's a sensory issue and I don't think she is a great swimmer now since not been for years. Glad you are happy! 

  • When my little girl decided to go swimming, I understood that I had to build her a home swimming pool. Eventually, it worked well for us. Now she’s attending a swimming pool near our house. I’m happy she’s happy. So the thing I began with was to find the [removed by mod] Heater. She liked the pool so much. Everything I had to do was just to wait. You know, I still remember that day she told me she wanted to go to a real swimming pool. So, keep on trying. Best wishes to your family.