Did you know that wearing long sleeve cotton PJ’s in the pool during an adaptive swim lesson is beneficial for swimmers with sensory and motor challenges?

Over the years, we’ve learned that with a little creativity and an ability to think outside the box, we can help special needs swimmers overcome obstacles in a fun and engaging way. Discover the unexpected benefits of wearing PJ’s in the pool!

3 benefits of wearing pajamas in an adaptive swimming lesson:

  • Provides a Water Safety Experience
    Your swimmer will experience what it feels like if they were to accidentally fall into the water with their clothes on. This will help them to experience the feeling of swimming with clothes on and reduce the element of surprise if this unlikely event were to occur.
  • Overcome Buoyancy Challenges
    Swimming with PJ’s on will also help swimmers who are anxious to become familiar with the feeling of buoyancy. This small amount of weight, from the wet pajamas, provides additional gravity and may improve comfort for swimmers who find it challenging to control their body.
  • Touch Toleration
    If you have a swimmer who is sensitive to touch, this might be just the barrier between the skin and your hand that they require to accept some tactile contact. This, in turn, facilitates hands-on assistance in achieving swim skill benchmarks.
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.