Practical Tools for Teaching Swimmers with Different Needs

Focused All Abilities Swim Training: Take a deeper dive into specific challenges, learn practical strategies and expand your toolbox.

EXPLORE ALL ABILITIES COURSES

2-HOUR COURSES | $99 EACH | ONLINE & SELF-PACED

When Your Usual Approach Isn't Working

When a swimmer isn’t responding to your usual approach, there may be more going on beneath the surface.

Sensory needs, communication differences, emotional regulation and the way a swimmer processes information can all affect how they respond to instruction and learn new skills. What looks like refusal, frustration, distraction or disengagement may be telling you that something about the way the skill is being presented isn’t working for that swimmer.

The challenge is recognizing that there may be more going on and knowing what you can try differently.

Dive In.
Get the Tools.
Get Back to Teaching.

Every swimmer is different. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

Each All Abilities course focuses on a specific challenge, giving you practical tools you can put to work in the pool:

  • Respond to specific behaviors

  • Try new ways to approach the challenge
  • Adapt your teaching or coaching
  • Give swimmers more ways to engage and learn
Swim instructor on pool deck, bending down to high five male child who looks like they do not want to swim. Mother is behind the child offering supporting

Choose Your Challenge

Different situations call for different strategies.

Created by an experienced PT/OT team with extensive adaptive aquatic experience, these focused online courses address real-world situations you encounter in the pool and give you practical tools to put to work in your teaching or coaching.

Choose the course that helps you take your teaching or coaching further.

All Abilities Swim: Instructor Tips

When behavior is making it harder for a swimmer to learn.

Designed for swim instructors working with swimmers who may need a different approach to communication, participation, skill development and learning — helping you create more positive and successful swim experiences.

  • 10 practical tips for 10 common swim behaviors
  • Understand behaviors that may impact swim skill development
  • Recognize challenges affecting participation & learning
  • Explore strategies to improve engagement and skill progress
  • Build confidence teaching swimmers with diverse needs
  • Practical resources for inclusive and adaptive swim instruction

2-hour online course | $99

A Swim Instructor’s Guide to 4 Common Diagnoses

Not sure what a diagnosis might mean for your swim lessons? Explore four common pediatric diagnoses, their key characteristics and how they may affect learning and participation in the pool. This free sample introduces important considerations for teaching swimmers with different needs and offers a preview of the full quick reference guide available in our All Abilities Swim: Instructor Tips course.

All Abilities Swim: Coaches’ Tips

When one swimmer needs something different from the rest of the team.

Designed for coaches already working with groups that include swimmers with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, neurodiversity, high sensory needs and other special needs.

  • 7 practical tips using the COACHES framework
  • Understand how neurodiverse swimmers may learn differently
  • Recognize challenges affecting skill development & participation
  • Explore multisensory strategies to improve engagement
  • Create a more inclusive team environment
  • Practical coaching resources

2-hour online course | $99

A Coach’s Guide to Learning Differences in the Pool

Not every swimmer learns the same way. Explore how learning differences can affect the way swimmers process instructions, respond to coaching and develop skills in the pool. This free sample introduces key considerations for adapting your coaching approach to support different learning needs, and offers a preview of the full resource available in our All Abilities Swim: Coaches’ Tips course.

Who These Courses Are For

Aquatic Professionals: Swim Instructors, Coaches, Program Directors, Aquatic Managers & Team Leaders

Health Professionals: Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Aquatic Therapists, Behavior Specialists & Other Professionals Supporting Swimmers

Focused Training That Fits Your Schedule

  • 100% Online & On Demand
  • Self-Paced Learning
  • 2 Hours of Focused Training
  • Access from Anywhere
  • Practical Strategies You Can Put to Work in the Pool

What Professionals Are Saying

2025-08-20T15:18:41-04:00

All of these tips are great! I honestly enjoyed this training so much and think it is possibly the most beneficial for my team because of the tips and tricks you’ve provided. Now it’s going back to decide who all to send through training! I think this worksheet is one of the MOST helpful tools in all of the trainings.

– Kathryn Lammers, Level 4, The Swim Lesson People, TX

2025-09-02T19:50:25-04:00

Love the short videos with the tips and all the material shared with us. Really good complement for Level 1! Thank you for all you do and teach us! I am a much better Instructor Thanks to YOU!

– Leticia Maniell, Level 1, PWCS Aquatics Center

2026-10-19T19:41:12-04:00

This [All Abilities Swim: Instructor Tips] is a wonderful way for coaches and instructors to determine if they are ready to expand their knowledge and ability to work with those needing adaptive aquatics.

– Becky Puhl, at Swim With Becky