Adaptive Swim Training: Online Meets Hands-On Success

Deciding between in-water, practical training or online-only courses to learn adaptive aquatics? Why not choose both!

Learning how to modify swim instruction to meet the unique needs of swimmers with disabilities and those with additional learning support needs requires specialized training.

At Swim Angelfish, we believe in empowering adaptive swim instructors with the very best training.

Benefits of Adaptive Online Courses vs. In-Person Training

For adaptive swim instructors, the most effective training combines convenient online theory with invaluable practical, in-water experience.

Benefits of Adaptive Online Courses

Online adaptive swim instructor courses are a valuable tool, especially for continuing professional development (CPD). They offer flexibility and are a great way to learn theory and stay updated.

Benefits of Adaptive In-Person Training

Practical, hands-on in-water training is effective for swim instructors teaching adaptive swim, because it allows them to directly experience and understand the challenges and nuances of teaching swimming to this unique audience. The in-water environment also helps them to practice techniques and improve their handling.

Combining online learning with the hands-on experience of being in the water, practicing adaptive teaching techniques, and receiving real-time feedback is a great recipe for developing competent and confident adaptive swim instructors.

Choose Swim Whisperers® for Adaptive Teaching Training

Our Swim Whisperers® Multi-Level online courses offer an incredibly valuable foundation, providing the flexibility to dive deep into theoretical knowledge, explore innovative techniques and practical strategies – all from the comfort of your own home! Think of it as your comprehensive guidebook, packed with the “why” and “how” of teaching swimmers with special needs.

While our online program lays essential groundwork, truly mastering adaptive swim instruction comes alive when you combine that knowledge with hands-on, in-water workshops. Imagine translating theory into practice, refining your adaptive teaching techniques with real-time feedback, and experiencing firsthand the unique dynamics of working with diverse learners.

This immersive, practical training is the missing piece that builds confidence and competence, allowing you to understand and address the specific challenges and nuances of adaptive swimming.

Enhance Your Team’s Adaptive Swim Instruction Skills

For instructors who have completed Level 1 of the Swim Whisperers® program, a 4-hour in-water training at your facility is an excellent way to refine their handling, pacing, and progression techniques. This hands-on experience will empower your staff to feel even more confident using the adaptive Swim Whisperers® methodology.

When you book private In-Person training with Swim Angelfish, your in-water workshop will include these three key activities:

  • Strategy & Goal Setting: Collaborative Problem-Solving
    We’ll start with all staff meeting together to discuss the challenges and strengths of their current lessons. This group session is designed to identify common issues, discuss how we might apply specific areas of focus and agree which of the Swim Whisperers® 14 roadblocks we want to work on. Pinpointing these issues together will make the subsequent in-water practical sessions even more beneficial and targeted.
  • Land-Based Learning: From Virtual to Reality
    Next, we’ll engage in land-based experiential activities directly related to the Swim Whisperers® methodology. These movement activities will help reinforce swim skill benchmarks and teach you how to physically and verbally prompt swimmers in a variety of ways that go beyond what’s covered in our online training. You’ll learn:

    – The intricacies of physical prompts in real-time.
    – New options for phrases and guidance on how to assess, identify, and implement new progressions.

    For example, instructors will pair up to work on motor learning, receiving side-by-side feedback from each other under the direct guidance of a Level 4 certified Swim Whisperers® instructor.

  • In-Water Practice: Seamless Skill Integration
    Finally, it’s time for in-water practice focusing on multiple swim progressions such as rollovers, changing directions, and emerging swim strokes. This session is all about reorganizing how to work with the strategies from the program and seamlessly integrating them in the water to achieve specific swim skill benchmarks.

Inside Look at How our In-Water Workshops Transform Swim Instruction

What’s it really like to train with the Swim Whisperers® method? Hear directly from certified aquatic professionals who took part in our hands-on, 4-hour adaptive aquatics workshop at the 2025 AOAP Conference!

Benefits for Your Swim Center

Investing in Swim Angelfish’s in-person training brings lots of advantages to your facility and community:

  • Real-Time Client Progress with Expert Guidance
    Experience live case studies with your existing clients. This means while your instructors are working with students, our experts will be right there, providing verbal and physical prompts for adaptive movement options. This collaborative approach leads to immediate improvements: your instructors feel more confident and capable, students quickly acquire new swim skills, and lessons progress differently and more effectively in the weeks to come.
  • Boosted Parent Engagement & Community Reputation
    When parents see your commitment to investing in advanced adaptive aquatic education, they will often share this positive feedback with their community. As your reputation for specialized, high-quality instruction grows, your investment in adaptive training for your team pays off.
  • Enhanced Community Awareness & Water Safety
    We’ll work with you to share the Autism and Special Needs Water Safety Toolkit and demonstrate effective ways to utilize Swim Angelfish resources. In real-time, we’ll help instructors show parents how to establish routines, use rescue equipment, and share vital information with special education directors, and therapy/behavior centers. Educating your community is crucial for water safety and plays a significant role in addressing the elevated drowning risk for individuals with Autism, who are unfortunately 160 times more likely to drown than their neurotypical peers.

Benefits of Adaptive Training for Staff

Investing in our adaptive training offers significant advantages for your instructors:

  • Increased Comfort & Confidence
    Your team will gain a deeper understanding and solidify the Swim Whisperers® methodology through a combination of land-based and in-water experience. This hands-on approach directly translates to them going on to teach with greater comfort and confidence in every lesson.

  • Improved Staff Retention & Job Satisfaction
    By offering advanced certification and opportunities to grow their skill set, you demonstrate a commitment to your employees’ professional development. This investment can significantly improve job satisfaction and lead to better staff retention within your swim center.

  • Unique Sense of Accomplishment & Purpose
    Teaching adaptive swim lessons – whether in private, semi-private, or small group settings – offers a profound sense of accomplishment and happiness. Providing a vital life skill like swimming to individuals who often face daily struggles that many take for granted can be one of the most rewarding aspects of a job. This powerful experience can often inspire young adults to pursue careers dedicated to impacting the lives of the 1 in 4 individuals who have a disability.

Talk to us about your swim center’s adaptive training needs and we can recommend how to get the most out of your staff training and development budget.

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.