Children with special needs often experience sensory problems that can make day-to-day living difficult. The water can have a miraculous effect on many special needs children. While they may have a hard time controlling their bodies in normal settings, they often thrive in the water.
Here are just a few of the sensory motor benefits of swimming.
A Calming Safe Zone
Your body feels more pressure under the water than in the air. And the pressure is constant – touching the entire surface of the body. It’s unique and very calming. Because of this, children with special needs feel this to be their safe zone – where all the weight is gone and they can just “be” in the water.
An Opportunity for Heightening Body Awareness
When swimming and moving in the water, a child’s sensory input is heightened. This further develops the child’s physical awareness and improves motor skills. The child will learn to use muscles and systems that they have never previously engaged and be able to do things in the water that other can do on land.
An Environment for Improving Oral Skills
Being in the water is fun! This helps the child on the Autism spectrum to make progress in their oral skills development. The child can blow bubbles, blow a ping pong ball, blow through a straw and perform many other acts designed to improve oral capabilities. The child will also communicate with instructors, staff and others in the pool.
An Exercise in Strengthening Muscles
Swimming works muscles. It takes stamina to complete many tasks. So it’s no surprise that swimming is great exercise. Almost every muscle in the body is used when in swimming.
A Tune-Up for Motor Planning Skills
Lessons with trained professionals provide the special child with hands-on attention. These trained professionals understand the importance of constant engagement and proper guidance to the Autistic child, providing the child with a new found confidence in the water that will last a lifetime.
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