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twinmommy · 03-05-2010, 10:20 PM

So DS starts swimming lessons this weekend.....ahhhhhh! DH is freaked out about it, he is worried that it is going to be one big meltdown. BUT DS needs to learn water safety and to listen. He loves to swim, that is the problem. We have a pool and we spent a lot time this summer setting limits and expectations around the pool. He is drawn like a moth to a flame to the pool. We have a pool alarm and he is never left unattended in the backyard....EVER.

So we hope that the swimming lessons go well or else we may have to get rid of our pool

It really makes me nervous if we can't teach him water safety.

Our Fanshawe student will be coming with us to apply ABA principles and try to make this successful. As well to provide the teacher with strategies to make the lesson successful.

Wish us luck!

Tanya-Mae · 03-05-2010, 10:36 PM

I am sure it wil go great! We too have a pol in our backyard and Daegan loves to swim. He attends lessons 2x week... one group lesson, primarily for the social aspects, and private lessons for the skill development. I agree... water safety and basic swimming ability are essential... with or without a backyard pol!

brown_eyed_girl · 03-06-2010, 09:21 AM

I think that's great to teach him, hope everything goes smoothly!

Mom2my2 · 03-06-2010, 09:42 AM

Good Luck! I hope it goes well!

barkingboys · 03-06-2010, 09:49 AM

I hope it goes well! Just try to keep in mind too that he is only 3 years old during the lessons. Spoke to DH this morning at DD's swim lessons and he said, “She's listening like a 4 year old!“. We have found ourselves getting frustrated but then I kind of look at some of the other kids and notice they do similar things. DH just usually gets more worked up about it and she does not have special needs. It's very wise to start now! As well, just a suggestion but if it doesn't work so well for him this year perhaps next year it will be more for him. I've known a few children that have had to be pulled out of class for a bit and have done well at a later time. (Just saying you may not have to get rid of the pool just yet.) But if he loves the pool, there's a good chance he'll listen just to be in the pool.

million$momma · 03-06-2010, 01:57 PM

I used to teach swim lessons and children with ASD usually did very well...water is very soothing.

Leigh · 03-06-2010, 02:35 PM

i hope it goes great for you and ds!

sabb6canada · 03-07-2010, 07:39 PM

Hope it went well.

twinmommy · 03-07-2010, 08:42 PM

So DH went with the “support“ worker. It started off bad but got better. DS refused to get in the water without DH, so DH left and let the support worker talk DS into getting in the water. DH observed from the large pool looking through the glass so DS couldn't see him.

DH could not hear what was going on, but from what he saw DS was doing his own thing with the support worker redirecting him (she was in the water with him) to follow the teacher. DS was a distraction for DD so like we thought, we are going to have to separate them for some activities in the future. DS kept jumping on her and bugging her.

DD did AWESOME! She even did a blackfloat (which she hates) with the teacher.

The only thing DS did the same with the other kids was run back and forth across the pool.

So not a bad start, we have a long way to go, BUT no major meltdowns so that was GREAT!

I think each week will get better and we will learn new strategies to encourage appropriate behaviour. DH did say watching him with the other children reinforced to him “the diagnosis“. This is a big thing for DH because for awhile he just thought DS would “outgrow“ it. The more we work with the strategies the more DH sees how important it is to apply ABA techniques with DS.

So a good start!!

Cuddlebug · 03-07-2010, 08:50 PM

Glad it went well M. Hope you continue to see improvement each time.

Leigh · 03-07-2010, 09:02 PM

sounds like it went pretty good!

thats fantastic.

barkingboys · 03-07-2010, 10:08 PM

It sounds like a pretty good start. I hope next week is even better.

sabb6canada · 03-08-2010, 09:28 AM

That is a great start. Way to go.

tansie · 03-08-2010, 09:41 AM

I think I posted about it before, but I wanted to let you guys know about the swimming lessons my kids take. The London Swim School for the Blind offers lessons to ALL kids with special needs AND their siblings!!!!!!! The kids with special needs get a one-on-one instructor and the sibs do too IF there are enough instructors, otherwise it is two kids per instructor. DD has three in her group only because my friend signed up her DD with special needs but they didn't have room for the sib. I told them I was more than fine with DD having three in her group if the other mom was as well.

The best part? It is an 8 week program - in the water for 1 hr each week - and because it is a non-profit group, they can't charge - so it is a “suggested“ donation of $35. Not a bad donation for all that they get! We are currently in the second session and the kids both LOVE IT!

Let me know if you want more info!

Leigh · 03-08-2010, 09:44 AM

meee tansie