Our adaptive Swim Whisperers® Lessons are life-changing for swimmers with special needs.
We tailor lessons to meet the specific needs of each individual and include modifications, compared to the traditional swimming curriculum, so that they can learn in a way that is comfortable for them.
Our instructors are certified in the Swim Whisperers® Program and are specifically trained to work with individuals with a wide range of disabilities, including physical, cognitive, and sensory disabilities. They are skilled in using our unique Swim Whisperers® methodology to adapt lessons to meet the unique needs of each student, whilst prioritizing safety.
Which Lesson is right for my child?
Choosing the right swimming lesson for your child can be difficult. It’s important to consider your child’s specific goals, learning style, current skill level, and overall comfort in the water. We will help to guide you through the options to find the right class for your swimmer.
Find a Pool Near You
Swim Angelfish offers Angelfish aquatic therapy and Swim Whisperers swim lessons in multiple locations including:
- Fairfield County, CT
- Westchester County & Rockland County, NY
- Middlesex County & Norfolk County, MA
- Rockingham County, NH
How are Adaptive Swim Lessons different to Aquatic Therapy?
Adaptive swim lessons are designed specifically for individuals with disabilities or special needs. These lessons aim to provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to learn how to swim, improve their swimming skills and gain water safety awareness.
Our adaptive swim lessons provide individuals with disabilities or special needs the opportunity to learn an essential skill, build confidence in the water, and enjoy all the benefits of swimming in a supportive and inclusive environment. Adaptive swim lessons differ to aquatic therapy because the latter uses the properties of water to help patients advance toward specific therapy objectives.
Adaptive Swim Lesson FAQs
In this FAQ, we help to answer any additional questions you may still have about our adaptive swim lessons.
Pricing varies depending on the type of service and session length. You can review detailed rate information, including private, semi-private, and group options, on our Pricing page.
Scholarships are available for both Swim Whisperers® Swim Lessons and Angelfish Aquatic Therapy sessions through our partner foundations. You can learn more about available programs and find application links in the Scholarships section of our Pricing page.
We’ve designed our intake process to make getting started with swim lessons as simple and transparent as possible. Here’s a quick guide to how it all works.
1. Start by Completing the Interest Form
The Interest Form is the first step for every new household. It tells our office team:
- The service type you’re interested in (Aquatic Therapy, Swim Lessons, or both)
- Your preferred service region and pool locations
- Your availability
- Your communication preferences (email, phone, text)
Once you submit the form, our scheduling team reviews it and begins matching you with the best options.
2. Create Your Jane Account (Client Portal)
After you submit the Interest Form, you or someone from our office creates a Jane account for your swimmer. Either way, you’ll receive an email invitation to verify your email and set your password. Your Jane account is your personal Client Portal where you can:
- View your swimmer’s profile
- Book classes
- Receive appointment reminders
- Update your contact information
- Securely add a credit card
3. Choose How You Want to Receive Openings
All households are automatically placed on our Permanent Openings List based on the date their Interest Form is submitted. This places your swimmer in a queue for private adaptive swim lessons.
If you take no further action, you will be contacted only when a permanent weekly spot becomes available that matches your availability. Once placed, the spot is yours for as long as lessons continue.
If you would like additional opportunities to swim while you wait, you can also choose to receive drop-in class notifications through our Wait List.
Semi-private lessons are often more available, so please note in your Interest Form whether you are open to private or semi-private options.
4. Drop-In Wait List Notifications
If your schedule is flexible and you’re eager to get started, we can add you to our Drop-In Wait List.
Households on this list receive alerts for one-time class openings that become available due to cancellations, while still remaining on the Permanent Openings List. This option is ideal for families who want extra chances to swim before a permanent spot opens.
Tip: Keep your preferred pool location and availability up to date so we can match you quickly. Flexibility is key in scheduling.
5. Booking Your Class
Once your Jane account (Client Portal) is active, you can:
- Book a drop-in class (if you opted in)
- Cancel or reschedule classes
- Accept a permanent spot offered by our team
- Manage your appointments directly through your portal
Our goal is to give you as much control and clarity as possible.
If you have questions about the Interest Form, your Jane account, or the Wait List options, our team is always happy to walk you through the process.
Wait List (New – Jane Feature)
The Wait List is for families who want to be notified when an opening becomes available.
- Alerts are based on your selected location(s) and general availability
- This is best for families who can accept openings on shorter notice
- Joining the Wait List may help you get started sooner while you wait for a recurring spot
Permanent Openings List (Previously referred to as the “Waitlist”)
The Permanent Openings List is for families looking for a consistent, weekly lesson time.
- This is for permanent, recurring openings
- Once placed, the weekly spot is yours as long as lessons continue
What happened to the Standby List?
We are no longer using the term Standby List. The Standby List has been renamed to the Wait List (to match the updated scheduling system terminology).
Swim Whisperers® swim instruction is based on the Swim Angelfish Methodology. Our instructors assess and identify the underlying problem the swimmer is having learning to swim, and then implement the strategies they need to overcome these roadblocks. In short, the goal of Swim Whisperers® is to turn any child into a confident and independent swimmer, no matter their situation or ability.
The Swim Whisperers® program was specially designed to cater to children with severe to mild sensory issues, problems with motor skills, difficulty processing information, attention issues, or any other condition that might physically or psychologically impede the process of learning to swim. In some cases, the obstacle may be something as simple as a child who is unwilling to put their head under water, or who is terrified to let go of the side of the pool. Our program addresses all kinds and severity of challenges.
All of our Swim Instructors are trained in the following:
- Starfish Aquatics Institute: The Starfish Swim School Instructor Development System©
- First Aid and CPR
- Adaptive Swim Whisperers® Certified
Absolutely! This is our specialty. We use a range of adaptive techniques that have been proven to work with individuals who have a fear of the water or are anxious swimmers. Read our inspirational blog about one of our swimmers and their journey from fear and anxiety to fun and independence.
For both aquatic therapy and Swim Whisperers, we offer Private, Semi-Private (2 children), or Group (3-4) sessions. Generally, children start with private sessions to establish basic skills, then work their way up to semi-private and group sessions, which offer increased social interaction benefits.
Building a strong bond matters! That’s why we usually pair your child with the same dedicated Swim Whisperers® instructor for continuity and comfort. This allows your child to build a trusting relationship and make consistent progress. In rare cases, if a substitute is needed, we’ll make sure they’re fully informed about your child’s goals and routines to ensure a seamless transition.
There are several things we can do to help ensure that your child’s first swim lesson at Swim Angelfish is a success! Once you have a spot in our lesson program, we will send you some helpful suggestions which include visiting the pool in advance, having an intake call with your swim instructor (so that we can understand how to best help your child meet their goals), establishing a routine for coming to each lesson, bringing comfort items with you as well as using positive reinforcement and being patient.
Supporting your child’s swim skills at home is a great idea! You can practice many skills in the bath, like blowing bubbles, learning how to breathe properly, and simple at-home exercises that can help with a child’s motor planning, muscle strengthening, and body control.
Once you begin lessons with us, your instructor will provide you with a Home Exercise Program (HEP) that will guide you through some other ideas to try.
Yes, we do. We offer adaptive swim lessons to people of all ages! Our method works with all ages and abilities and the ability to be in a private lesson can provide an opportunity for an adult to learn in a comfortable and supportive environment.
To enroll in our Swim Whisperers® Swim Lessons or Angelfish Aquatic Therapy sessions, please start by visiting our Get Started page and submitting the Interest Form.
We will contact you to find a time and instructor that works best for your child.
No. However, certain state programs provide funding for swim lessons through grants – so please contact your local authorities to understand more about their funding and support programs.
The Payment is due at the time of service. Once you register, we ask that you enter a credit card into your account. We use a secure system that stores your credit card information before your first lesson, and it will be charged after your session. We will charge your card on file within 24 hours of your service.
Our team does not have access to the account number or credit card information.
To find a swim instructor who has completed the Swim Whisperers® Multi-Level Certification Program near you, browse our Directory of Swim Whisperers® Certified Instructors.
