Kai was ready to throw in the towel on group swimming lessons before diving into new autism-friendly classes at Melbourne City Baths.
Swimming lessons are a rite of passage for many Australians, but let’s be honest, they aren’t always fun or accessible for everyone.
That was especially true for 8-year-old Kai, who is autistic and has ADHD.
“Group classes were very loud,” Kai said.
“The teacher talked a lot because they had to explain over and over to many people. It was too much talking for me.
“I'd miss my turn and miss what the teacher said because I didn't hear it.”
Kai’s mum, Gaem, found it hard too.
“It might have seemed like he couldn’t or wouldn’t learn to swim, or that he was being rude or problematic, but he was just overwhelmed,” Gaem said.
Swimming lessons for children with autism
Kai’s experience is common for autistic children – many drop out before they’re confident in the water. Children and young people with autism are 3 times more likely to drown than children without autism. It's a statistic that deeply worried Kai’s mum.
“But then I heard about the one-on-one lessons during Melbourne City Bath's sensory hour with Autism Swim certified teachers,” Gaem said.
“The specially-trained swimming instructors show empathy, understanding and even have lived experience that helps create a supportive learning environment,” Gaem said.
The training has also helped swimming instructors, like Raj, consider different learning styles and see his surroundings with fresh eyes.
“The overpowering smell of chlorine and noises of the pool – that's something I'm used to, but it can really impact their learning,” Raj said.
“For me, it’s about getting them comfortable in the pool before the learning even starts."
The first class doesn’t always involve swimming: it’s more about playing in the water and familiarising students with the pool environment.
“Swimming comes once they trust you.”
For instructor Keegan, it’s all about celebrating the wins.
“It took a year and a half for one of my students to feel comfortable blowing bubbles and that’s a huge accomplishment,” Keegan said.
Melbourne City Baths is now an Autism Swim certified centre
Melbourne City Baths is now the largest leisure centre to make Autism Swim certification training mandatory for all swim school staff.
The aim is to help families create positive swim school memories in one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Tarryn Clancy, Swim School Team Leader at Melbourne City Baths, is a champion for inclusion.
“Everyone deserves access to swim lessons that suit them,” Tarryn said.
“The Autism Swim certification is still quite an unknown program and organisation, however they’re doing amazing work in education and aquatics across Australia.
“Access and inclusion training isn't mandatory for Victorian swim schools, and you need money in the budget to train instructors.
“That's something managers need to advocate for, and it takes planning. It’s wonderful that the City of Melbourne sees the benefit in the investment.”
For swimming instructor Raj, the training is a way to make a personal impact on water safety statistics.
“When I saw the drowning statistics for neurodivergent kids – I was pretty shocked," Raj said.
“I love teaching water safety and seeing the relief on the parents’ faces. It’s a wonderful feeling to see their kids progress when they never thought it would be possible.”
Small changes make a big difference for autistic swimmers
What once felt overwhelming has become something Kai genuinely enjoys. He particularly loves how dynamic the classes are.
“When it’s hard, they can change the lesson,” Kai said.
“I like drill challenges like swimming multiple laps. On the days when it is too much and I am not ready to do laps, we do diving through underwater obstacles and retrieving toys underwater and these are my favourites.
“I think I am good at backstroke and I can go fast. I want to get better at holding my breath underwater for obstacle challenges and beat my older brother at backstroke one day.”
Factors that contribute to Kai's success include:
- warming up in the main pool before class
- clear clues and modelling from the teacher
- involving Kai in how the lesson is planned
- instructors who are aware of environmental triggers and open to feedback from families and allied health support teams
- lessons scheduled during sensory hour when artificial lighting is reduced and music and TVs are turned off to reduce sensory stress.
As a parent, Gaem experienced relief from the very first session.
“It became clear Kai could thrive. I knew Kai wasn't the problem, he just needed to be set up for success," Gaem said.
“The pool is now somewhere Kai can relax, explore and engage in meaningful sensory play, whether alone or with siblings.
“Now he is very water confident, and it is a sense of pride for him to dive, tumble, explore in the deep end and have a freedom of movement underwater.
“It’s deeply validating for neurodivergent families to know their children will not be viewed through a deficit-based lens but recognised for their capabilities and strength.
“For Kai, our goal was originally about physical safety, and we are glad to see that we could offer him psychological safety as well.”
Book in for swimming lessons
All Melbourne City Baths swimming instructors have completed the training and are ready to welcome you to the pool for lessons.
- Learn more about Autism Swim certification at Melbourne City Baths
- Book your next swim school lesson
- Contact the team at MelbourneCity.Baths@melbourne.vic.gov.au, or call on 9658 9011.
Check out our Inclusive Melbourne Strategy and Action Plan to see how we're removing barriers, celebrating diversity and building a more inclusive Melbourne.
