Does your swimmer struggle with the challenge of drinking more pool water than you’d prefer during your swim sessions? Don’t fret – you’re not alone, and there are fun and effective solutions to help you conquer this sensory-seeking aquatic habit.

As swim instructors, we often encounter challenges when working with swimmers who want to satiate their sensory needs and just can’t seem to stop drinking the water. Let’s dive into some simple tips that can help to keep that pool water where it belongs – out of the mouth.

In this blog, we discuss one of the 14 most common roadblocks we identified as ‘Excessive Drinking’ and we share advice on how swim instructors can help their swimmers to be more successful when facing this obstacle.

Identifying the Challenge: Excessive Drinking

Being able to put your mouth in the water, without drinking it, plays a crucial role in the swimming lesson experience. Some swimmers really enjoy the sensory feeling of the water in and around their mouth and lips, and it’s this need they are trying to satiate when they drink the pool water. For swimmers who are non-verbal, this need is more pronounced as the sucking, licking, and blowing of bubbles in the water provides a great mouth experience for them. And with the pool water right there, it’s just too tempting!

Swim Whisperers® Strategies to Reduce Excessive Drinking

When you understand the science behind this roadblock and the underlying reasons for this behavior of excessive drinking, you will be able to help your swimmer satiate their sensory needs, without the risk of them consuming too much pool water during their swim lessons.

We have three tried and tested tips to help keep the water out of the mouth so you can focus on achieving your swim lesson goals.

  • Guard that Water Intake with a Mouthguard
    Think of it as your swimmer’s secret weapon – the trusty mouthguard! Often associated with protecting teeth during contact sports, a mouthguard can work wonders in curbing the water intake habit. Ask your swimmer to bite down on a mouthguard during their lessons and this will provide the sensory input they are seeking with their mouths and makes it more of a challenge to slurp down water whilst trying to keep a mouthguard in place.
  • Chew on Fun, Not Water
    Who knew a simple foam bath toy could double as a swimmer’s companion in the battle against sipping too much water? Grab your favorite foam bath toy from home – it could be a foam letter, number or even a foam animal. Place it between your swimmer’s teeth during their lesson and it will provide a distraction that helps curb the urge to take sips from the pool.

  • Ice, Ice, Baby
    Now, here’s a tip that might surprise you! Have you ever considered using ice to bring awareness to your mouth and lips? It might sound unconventional, but it’s a technique that can work wonders. Head over to our FREE Mini Course titled ‘What Every Swim Instructor Needs to Know’ to learn more – trust us, it’s a treasure trove of insights.

    This mini course introduces you to the 14 Swim Whisperers® Strategies for Roadblocks that might be getting in the way of swim success.

Every swimmer faces their own unique challenges, and by applying the Swim Whisperers® methodology with a touch of creativity, overcoming challenges with excessive drinking will be a breeze.

Looking for Aquatic Therapist Training?

We can give you the tools you need to help special needs clients achieve therapy goals and improve their independence in the water.

Learn new treatment and handling techniques, understand how to integrate reflexes and overcome roadblocks to help your pediatric clients achieve their therapy goals. We have 4 in-depth online courses to choose from.

Our online training courses will help you strengthen your aquatic therapy skills and allow you to earn CEU’s. Our on-demand platform makes learning flexible to fit into your schedule.

Dive into Our Specialized Pediatric Aquatic Therapy Program!

The unique program that Swim Angelfish offers is created by an OT/PT team with over 60 years combined experience. We have experienced Recreation, Occupational, and Physical therapists who are specifically trained in pediatric aquatic therapy. We use a fun, innovative and multi-sensory approach using the therapeutic properties of the water to reach your specific therapy goals.

We can help improve self-regulation, motor coordination, strength, balance, endurance, and more. There are several options for therapy sessions depending on your needs, including private, semi-private, and small group sessions.

Ailene Tisser, MA, PT, Founder

Ailene Tisser, a pediatric Physical Therapist with over 30 years of experience and co-founder of Swim Angelfish® and the Swim Whisperers® method, specializes in aquatic therapy and adaptive swim for children with special needs. Trained in NDT, DIR/Floortime, and certified as an Autism Specialist and Primitive Reflex Specialist she fosters water safety, confidence, and independence in her young clients. Ailene is also passionate about educating aquatic professionals, setting a standard of excellence for adaptive aquatics training and professional development.

Cindy Freedman, MOTR, Founder

Cindy, MS, OTR/L is an occupational and recreational therapist with over 30 years of experience specializing in pediatrics and aquatics. Driven by a passion for helping children with special needs reach their full potential, Cindy co-founded Swim Angelfish, an organization dedicated to providing adaptive swim and aquatic therapy services as well as professional training. Her expertise in sensory integration, reflex repatterning, and aquatics, coupled with her love for water and experience as a national champion diver, has enabled her to make a profound impact on the lives of countless children. Cindy is certified as an Autism Specialist by IBCCES, and shows an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children with special needs.