Swim Whisperers® Adaptive Aquatics Training

Do you teach individuals with special needs to swim? Are you ready to confidently guide your swimmers of all abilities toward swim success?

Elevate your skills to teach swimmers with ADHD, Autism, Down Syndrome or any type of emotional, physical or sensory challenge. This innovative online training program unlocks the time-tested methods to teaching swimmers who need a different approach. Transform abilities with the world-class Adaptive Swim Whisperers® Certification.

Get Certified

Do you teach individuals with special needs to swim? Are you ready to confidently guide your swimmers of all abilities toward swim success?

Elevate your skills to teach swimmers with ADHD, Autism, Down Syndrome or any type of emotional, physical or sensory challenge. This innovative online training program unlocks the time-tested methods to teaching swimmers who need a different approach. Transform abilities with the world-class Adaptive Swim Whisperers Certification.

Transform Your Ability to Help Children With Special Needs Thrive in the Water

Meet Ailene Tisser, a Physical Therapist (PT), and Cindy Freedman, an Occupational Therapist (MOTR): the masterminds behind the Swim Whisperers® Method. As pioneers in the industry, they’ve created the transformative Swim Whisperers® Course, revolutionizing adaptive swim instruction.

  • Equip Swim Instructors and Program Directors with inclusive techniques.
  • Works for all abilities including Anxiety, Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome and Physical, Emotional, Motor and Sensory Challenges.
  • Time-tested and proven evidence-based Swim Whisperers® Methodology for teaching private and group lessons.
  • Advance your career with life-changing work you are passionate about.
  • CEU approved with ASCA, IAFTC and YMCA.
  • 100% online course.

Learn how to teach swimmers with

autismanxietytraumadiscomfortmotor sensory physicaldelays

What is the Swim Whisperers® Certification?

The Adaptive Swim Whisperers® multi-level certification program is designed to facilitate swim success for individuals with special needs. The online training teaches you how to assess and identify roadblocks, and how to apply the correct strategy to overcome them. Our comprehensive training program, created by an OT/PT team, will empower you with an effective, proven toolbox to strengthen your adaptability and confidence when teaching swimmers.

Why Get Certified?

Is your swim curriculum working for all abilities? Are you having trouble getting some of your students to progress? Are you able to meet the needs and unlock the potential of children with special needs?

In comparison to traditional teaching techniques, our unique methodology has been proven to work with swimmers of all abilities, particularly those who learn differently, have a disability or are anxious in the water, to help them feel more at ease while gaining swim skill success faster.

  • Offer diverse and inclusive teaching methods.
  • Gain a competitive edge in the swim industry to teach this ever-growing population.
  • Your solution for creative programming to help all swimmers make progress.
  • Understand how to teach swimmers of all abilities with greater success.
  • Improve risk management and safety for the special needs population.

What Will You Learn?

You will learn how to use the Swim Whisperers® Methodology to assist swimmers with special needs like Autism, Anxiety, Motor issues, Physical limitations, Sensory challenges, Delays, Discomfort and Trauma to become safer and more independent in, near and around water. Help students with special needs overcome common obstacles and achieve swim success faster and more comfortably.

Assess

Use the areas of focus in conjunction with the universal roadblocks to determine how you will meet the individual needs of your swimmer.

Identify

What is stopping swim progression and what the underlying problems are to achieving swim skill benchmarks.

Apply

Specially developed movement strategies to overcome the obstacles getting in the way of success.

Adapt

Weave in and out of your current curriculum by applying the Swim Whisperers® techniques, as needed, to progress your student. 

What Does the Course Curriculum Cover?

This is a multi-level training program. Once you have completed Level 1 and put into practice the strategies and techniques you’ve learned, you can advance through each subsequent level to build on your skills, knowledge, integration and experience to master the art of adaptive aquatics.

Level 1

Introduction to the 14 most common roadblocks and 11 Areas of Focus. Learn adaptive strategies and techniques to achieve swim success faster and more comfortably.

Level 2

Builds knowledge with a deeper dive into understanding the Swim Whisperers® formula and how you can seamlessly integrate it during your lessons to improve swim progressions.

Level 3

Master techniques to help students conquer multiple roadblocks and achieve swim goals confidently as you start to automate strategy application in your lessons.

Level 4

Consolidates all previous levels as you gain advanced knowledge in creating inclusive swim programs, aquatic behavioral management and drowning prevention for all-abilities swimmers.

Get Your Swim Whisperers® Certification Today!

Maintain Your Swim Whisperers® Certification and Perks

Enrollees have access to course materials for 12 months after enrollment, with the goal of completing the course within 90 days. This allows you to use the remaining time until the 12-month post-enrollment deadline to refresh your knowledge and access the latest course updates.

  • Global Recognition
    Get listed on our Certified Swim Whisperers® Map, enhancing your visibility to potential clients upon completing each level.
  • Advanced Training Opportunities
    Participate in exclusive Swim Whisperers® in-water workshops.
  • Marketing Kit
    Receive expert guidance on promoting your swim instructor services and attracting new students.
  • Supportive Community
    Join our private Facebook group to connect, share experiences, and learn from fellow Swim Whisperers® graduates.

Continued Perks Access

  • Complete Level 4 to gain continued access to the Swim Whisperers® Perks.

  • To continue enjoying the perks beyond the initial 12-month course access, progress to the next course level.

Key Points

  • Perks are available only upon completing each course level.
  • Course materials are accessible for 12 months from the date of purchase.

  • Level up to maintain access to perks beyond the initial 12 months, unless you complete Level 4, which grants continued perks access.

This training is for you if….

  • You’re stuck in your swim lesson and you need new ideas on how to help your athletes who learn differently.
  • You’ve tried everything you know with your swimmer with challenges and still can’t make progress.
  • If you want to change the lives of students with special needs and their families.
  • If you believe everyone deserves to learn how to swim.
  • Looking to support your staff who teach swimmers that present challenges.
  • You want to start an adaptive program at your swim school.

Your Journey to Certification

Are you a certified Swim Instructor?
Trained as a Basic Swim Instructor (BSI) or Water Safety Instructor (WSI) using American Red Cross; Starfish Aquatics Institute or Swim Lesson University certified; YMCA or private school trained.

Enroll in Level 1

Complete Level 1 within 90 days

Maintain Your Certification & Level-Up

Online Swim Whisperers® Learning Platform

  • Online certification program is a multi-sensory platform that offers video content, case studies, practicum, quizzes, and exams to ensure you are prepared to help every type of student.

  • On-demand program is flexible and can be completed wherever you are allowing you to absorb the course information at your own pace.

  • Manage your time with up to 90 days to complete course material and exams for each level.

  • Re-Access course material for up to 1 year following enrollment. If you maintain your certification and level up through levels 1 to 4, full access to the course materials will be granted.

  • Additional training is also available with in-water workshops for those who have completed Swim Whisperers® Level 1.

Hear from Swim Whisperers® Graduates Making a Difference

91%

Recommend Swim Whisperers®

In a recent survey, an impressive 91% of participants who completed the Swim Whisperers® Certification training reported being likely or very likely to recommend the program to fellow instructors.

93%

Course Satisfaction

Survey results also revealed that a remarkable 93% of participants were satisfied or highly satisfied with the content and delivery of the Swim Whisperers® Certification training.

96%

Agreed or Strongly Agreed

Most importantly, 96% participants agreed or strongly agreed that the Swim Whisperers® program has significantly improved their ability to teach kids with special needs and disabilities.

Source: Swim Whisperers® Consumer Satisfaction Survey, August 2024-September 14, 2024 n=54

2024-06-26T10:15:32-04:00

There have been many times as a swim instructor where I’ve encountered a roadblock with a swimmer and constantly feel like I’m “spinning my wheels” and not getting anywhere. This all changed when I got my Swim Whisperers certification. Swim Whisperers gives me the tools necessary to identify the roadblocks I encounter and helps me understand why the roadblocks are there and what I can do to help a swimmer overcome these obstacles. I’m able to assess, reassess, and tweak my programs with the help of the Swim Whisperer webinars and discussion boards to make swimming possible for EVERYONE. I am extremely proud to be a Swim Whisperer and have had many wonderful experiences since becoming certified. I cannot recommend this training enough!

– Dan Johnson, Arlington Boys & Girls Club

2024-06-26T10:20:40-04:00

Having the certification has completely changed the way that we all teach and the way that we think about teaching adaptive aquatics… This program is incredible.

– Voices of Swim Angelfish’s Swim Whisperers® Certification

2024-06-26T10:15:17-04:00

All of your videos are so helpful when working with differently abled swimmers. I am enjoying incorporating what I am learning into my adaptive lessons. I love having the ‘ah-ha’ moments when I see in person what you are talking about in the videos.

– Tobi Harris, YMCA Atlanta

2024-06-26T10:15:23-04:00

We have a large number of children with autism in our community and many register for our Swim School. The course has ready helped me understand how some individuals respond differently to water and the pool environment. The Training is great. There is so much more to teaching swimming to children with different abilities and THIS is the way to go.

– Helena Machado, Arlington Public Schools Aquatics

Group Certification

Learn about our group discounts for swim schools looking to certify multiple swim instructors.

Scholarships

The Only Alpha Pool Products Down Syndrome Foundation is dedicated to giving financial assistance to swim instructors looking for comprehensive adaptive swim training to strengthen their special needs swim program. Together, we want to help you make a difference in your community.