Swim Whisperers® Swim Lessons
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 Registration page and choosing your region – either Massachusetts & New Hampshire or Connecticut & New York – and then continue to complete the registration 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. Mind Body is 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, search for them on our global map.
Aquatic Therapy
Aquatic therapy is performed by specially trained Physical therapists and Occupational therapists. We use the therapeutic properties of the water to enhance our treatment and provide core strengthening, increased flexibility and range of motion, integrate primitive reflexes, improve coordination, improve dynamic balance and promote sensory integration.
The main difference between Aquatic Therapy and OT or PT is that we can treat multiple areas at once using the therapeutic properties of the water to enhance treatment.
While Aquatic Therapy can work on similar goals to traditional OT and PT, the therapeutic properties of the water add a motivating sensory element that cannot be replicated on land. With your skin being your largest organ and the water surrounding your entire body, we have an element of deep pressure that cannot be replicated. When these properties are incorporated into the therapeutic handling that we do, the client is able to multitask on multiple systems, all at the same time. The best part about it is that it is fun, motivating and prepares your child for a lifelong skill of more comfort and independence in the water.
We are considered an out-of-network provider.
We bill the services as outpatient as either Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy, depending on which therapist provides the treatment. Please check with your insurance provider to determine what if anything is covered. The billing code for individual therapy is 97113.
For all other health insurance-related questions please visit the Insurance tab in our FAQ section.
No, you do not need a script for services in the states of MA, NH, CT and NY. But it can help to get one from your child’s doctor if you are planning on submitting for reimbursement to help justify services.
Your therapist will email it to you within 2-3 weeks of the initial evaluation.
Email your therapist directly to get a letter of justification, please allow 1-2 weeks for this to be completed. You can also ask your child’s MD to write one as well.
Payment is due at the time of service. Mind Body is a secure system that stores your credit card information before your first lesson and it will be charged after your session. For any other payment or billing related questions, refer to the ‘Billing’ tab in our FAQ section.
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.
To enroll in our Swim Whisperers® Swim Lessons or Angelfish Aquatic Therapy sessions, please start by visiting our Registration page and choosing your region – either Massachusetts & New Hampshire or Connecticut & New York – and then continue to complete the registration form.
We will contact you to find a time and instructor that works best for your child.
Swim Whisperers® Swim Lessons vs Aquatic Therapy
Aquatic Therapy uses the therapeutic properties of the water to assist in achieving therapy goals. We work on motor planning, reflex integration, core strength, balance, self-regulation and bilateral coordination.
Most children with special needs will benefit from aquatic therapy. The therapeutic qualities of water are a wonderful alternative to or can complement traditional therapies for a variety of diagnoses including Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and any sensory-motor challenges. In our blog Everything You Need to Know About Pediatric Aquatic Therapy we share some of the reasons why you might expand your child’s services to include Aquatic Occupational, Physical and Recreation Therapy.
Adaptive Swim Lessons are designed specifically for individuals with disabilities or special needs. Our Swim Whisperers swim lessons are tailored to meet the needs of each individual and aim to provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to learn how to swim, improve their swimming skills and gain water safety awareness.
Adaptive Swim lessons provide individuals with disabilities or special needs the opportunity to learn an essential skill, build confidence in the water, and enjoy the many benefits of swimming in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Adaptive Swim lessons are not Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy and cannot be billed to insurance.
Sometimes the decision is not clear and you may need help from a Therapist to determine that. We have created a Swim Assessment, which is performed by an experienced therapist (who is also a swim instructor). They will work with your child for a 30 minute session and assess a checklist of skills to help you answer this question and better guide you in the next steps based on your goals. This assessment is not a therapy evaluation and is not able to be submitted to insurance.
To help determine your child’s needs, it may be beneficial to register for a service assessment so that our experienced therapists can assess and make an appropriate recommendation to help meet your goals.
Swim Whisperer Swim Lessons focus on addressing the underlying obstacle your swimmer is having in achieving swim skill benchmarks. The goal is safety, more independence in the water, and learning to swim.
Aquatic Therapy uses the therapeutic properties of the water to assist in achieving therapy goals. We work on motor planning, reflex integration, core strength, balance, self-regulation and bilateral coordination.
We will not work on swim skill benchmarks or stroke mechanics in Aquatic Therapy as that is not the purpose.
Your child will, however, learn how to be safer and more independent in the water as it pertains to your therapy goals for independent balance, mobility and motor planning.
This is specific to your particular child and once their therapist feels that they are ready to take adaptive swim lessons.
Yes, our instructors are specially trained to overcome the underlying problem causing their anxiety.
Aquatic Therapy acts as a complementary or alternative method to traditional therapies for conditions like Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Sensory-Motor challenges. By leveraging water’s properties, individuals can work towards therapeutic goals in an environment that reduces the impact of gravity and supports their developmental needs.
Billing
We are happy to help you with any billing issues you might have. Please email billing@swimangelfish.com.
The Payment is due at the time of service. Once you register, we ask that you enter a credit card into your account. Mind Body is 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.
You will receive an invoice via email at the end of the month to self-submit to insurance from billing@swimangelfish.com.
Make sure to check your spam folder if you do not receive it.
Health insurance cannot be used for Adaptive Swim Lessons.
Health insurance can be used for Aquatic Therapy sessions.
For more insurance related questions please select the ‘Insurance’ tab in our FAQ section where you will find comprehensive answers.
Swim Angelfish aquatic therapists and instructors will collaborate with your child’s side team members such as caregivers, therapists, teachers and behavior specialists.
The goal is for us to discuss your child’s individual needs and incorporate recommendations into your swimmer’s aquatic therapy or adaptive swim lesson plan.
During this meeting, they will provide crucial information to your Swim Angelfish aquatic therapist or Swim Whisperers® swim instructor. This input will enable them to tailor services specifically to your child, improving the delivery and effectiveness of our programs.
If a staff member attends a meeting that is 30 minutes or longer, it will be billed to you at our consultation meeting rate.
Insurance
Only Aquatic Therapy can be covered by insurance.
No, we are out of network providers with all insurance companies.
If your plan requires you to only render services with providers in-network, you may be offered an ‘out of network exception’ since aquatic therapy is a specialty service and may not be offered in your area. It is important that if you do so, you work with a case manager to ensure approval.
Often, since we are not contracted by insurance, there are difficulties with reimbursement despite the initial ‘approval’. If you can prove that there are no in-network providers in your area that can do the specialized therapy for your child’s needs, you can be granted an ‘out of network exception’. They may ask you to call your provider when this is getting approved.
Make sure to have all tax ID, NPI, CPT and diagnosis code (ICD 10) information for this call.
Your insurance company will outline this in your ‘approval’ or plan so be sure to clarify. They will let you know if they approve by units of service (time), or CPT codes. They will also let you know the CPT codes they approve.
It is important that you clarify with your insurance company what type of therapist is rendering the services to make sure there are no errors when submitting your claims. All paperwork must be consistent.
Use code 97113 for Aquatic Exercise Therapy, per 15 minutes of service.
For an Physical Therapy evaluation use code 97162.
For an Occupational Therapy evaluation use code 97166.
A private insurance company can recommend using a different CPT Code, if so please email billing@swimangelfish.com to change the invoice. Please note the bill will include that services were rendered in the pool (aquatic setting).
The NPI number for CT/NY is 1780979369
The NPI Number for MA/NH is 1801279492
We put the therapist license number on the invoice, but we use a company NPI number.
The Tax ID number for CT/NY is: 06-1724026
The Tax ID number for MA/NH is: 46-5747811
The company name for CT/NY is Angelfish Therapy LLC.
The company name for MA/NH is Swim Whisperers Swim School New England LLC.
Our billing address is 1177 High Ridge Rd, Stamford CT, 06905
Your child’s doctor is the only one who can provide you with the correct ICD-10 codes. Please ask for the ICD-10 codes from your MD to be put on your account and added to your monthly invoice.
It is often best to use ones that match what the outpatient land-based therapy is using and may include more than one. Try not to use a code that indicates general developmental delay as this is usually not reimbursed.
Email your therapist directly to add a new ICD-10 code and it will be updated on your next monthly invoice.
Please email your therapist and they will work to accommodate a time to set up the call, please understand that our staff have responsibilities outside of their time at Swim Angelfish and may require certain times/days.
Contact the office@swimangelfish.com or call 203-545-0024, or see if your provider is available to be called in while you are on the line with the insurance company.
Some of our families have had success in the past, but be sure to check with your flex-spending provider/employer. You can email billing@swimangelfish.com to set up payments.
We have received support from two organizations (The Fearless Angel Project and JT Fortin Foundation) that award Scholarships for Adaptive Swim Lessons and Aquatic Therapy, which we suggest you apply for. Some of our families have had success with their local organization scholarships. You can also look at the Department of Disabilities or Department of Children and Families for available funding if applicable.
No, families are required to self-submit we do not work directly with any insurance companies.
Training
We would love to talk to you about how we can work together, please email us at cert@swimangelfish.com.
We offer tiered discounts on all Swim Whisperers® Certifications for groups! To provide the most accurate quote, we consider the number of participants and the mix of certification levels you’re interested in. For more details on discounts and purchasing options, contact us at cert@swimangelfish.com.
We will need to discuss this individually. We do not offer refunds for unused or incorrect mix of levels once the purchase has been made. However, we will work with you to try and resolve issues if they arise.
Yes, the group codes expire 12 months following the date of purchase. A reactivation fee will apply to extend each code beyond the initial 12-month period.
No, group rates only apply to groups from the same organization, to be billed on one single invoice. You need to supply names for each member of your group. Codes will be allocated by name. If you are pre-purchasing certifications for future staff members, let us know the staff members’ name as soon as possible.
For Swim Instructor training we offer an Adaptive Swim Whisperers Certification program. This is a multi-level, online training program where you will learn a variety of time-tested strategies that are proven to overcome the 14 most common roadblocks faced by swimmers with special needs.
Visit our Swim Whisperers Certification page for more information.
Once you have completed Swim Whisperers Level 1, you are eligible to participate in the Swim Whisperers In-Water Workshops.
Please check our events and in person training page for a list of in-water workshops or contact us to arrange a private in-water workshop for your group.
We have 4 online, continuing education Therapy courses for aquatic professionals where you will learn new treatment and handling techniques, understand how to integrate reflexes and overcome roadblocks to help your pediatric clients with special needs achieve their therapy goals.
Visit our Adaptive Aquatic Therapist Training page for more information.
We also host an Aquatic Therapy In-Water Lab for aquatic professionals who have completed the Totally Treatment online course.
Visit our In-Water Workshops page for more information.
Absolutely! The Swim Whisperers Certification program and our Aquatic Therapy courses are 100% online.
After completing any of our paid for online courses, graduates can apply for Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits in their state. It’s important to remember that each state has its own guidelines for CEU approval. Be sure to research the specific requirements of your state licensing or certification board before submitting the course for CEU credits.
The course CEU Kit contains the following:
- Course Description – includes the number of hours the course can be credited for.
- Course References – includes citations and references.
- Course Author Resumes – includes resumes for both Cindy & Ailene.
- Course Certificate.
- Course Evaluation.
To find a swim instructor who has completed the Swim Whisperers® Multi-Level Certification Program near you, search for them on our global map.
The Swim Whisperers® Perks include:
- 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
Extended 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.
We recommend completing the Swim Whisperers® course within 90 days from the date of enrollment. This timeframe allows you to consistently build and consolidate your understanding of the course material over three months.
-
Enrollees have access to course materials for 12 months after enrollment.
-
Aim to complete the course within 90 days.
-
Use the period from course completion to the 12-month post-enrollment deadline to refresh your knowledge and access the latest course updates.
There are lots of great reasons to maintain your Swim Whisperers® Certification and continue to progress through this multi-level training program.
Maintenance by ‘leveling up’ benefits you because:
- Continue to promote yourself as Swim Whisperers® Certified.
- Keep access to the Swim Whisperers® Perks (all course material, remain listed on the Swim Whisperers® Certified Instructors Map and continue to be a member of the Swim Whisperers® Private Facebook Group).
- Continue to build your knowledge and grow your adaptive skills.
- Ensure that you stay up-to-date with adaptive swim practices.
- Remain effective when teaching individuals with special needs to swim.
- Have a record of your adaptive aquatics learning journey.
Your Swim Whisperers Certification® and Perks are valid for 1 year from the date of enrollment in each level.
To maintain your certification, you must advance through each Swim Whisperers® level. Advancement to the next level, must occur within 1 year (12 months) of enrolling in the course level.
Once you complete all 4 levels your access to the Swim Whisperers® Perks will continue.
If you do not maintain your certification by enrolling in the subsequent level, you will lose access to all of the course material and information in your Swim Angelfish® Training Account (Teachable).
You will be unlisted as a Swim Whisperers® Certified Instructor on our Map and your membership to the Swim Whisperers® Private Facebook Group will be deactivated.
You will not actively be able to promote yourself as Certified in the Swim Whisperers methodology.
If you have completed Swim Whisperers® Level 4, however, you will have continued access to your Swim Angelfish® Training Account (Teachable) and the associated Swim Whisperers® Perks.
Whilst there is no expiration date on your Swim Whisperers® Certificate, we do require you to Maintain Your Certification status to keep access to your Swim Whisperers® Perks.
It is important to invest in continuing education to keep your adaptive aquatics skills and knowledge current. By leveling up through the Swim Whisperers® program, you will learn how to integrate and apply the adaptive techniques and strategies you learned from each level into your swim curriculum to transform your ability as an instructor.
Yes. You can purchase Levels 1 through 4 in a single transaction (and combinations of e.g. Levels 1+2 or Levels 1+2+3).
However, you must complete the levels in order and cannot skip a level.
If would like to purchase the Swim Whisperers® training course(s) for a group (more than one person), you will need to contact us so that we can help you.
Please email us at cert@swimangelfish.com to secure group bookings and rates.
We will then be able to guide you through the enrollment process for your group.
To log in, please go to our learning platform: Swim Angelfish Teachable.
You can also find this link on our website under Professional Training > My Training Account.
Once there, use the login link at the top right and enter the email address you used to enroll in the course (the same email address used during the checkout process) as your username.
TIP: Remember to add this to your favorites/bookmark this address.
Training for Groups
No, group rates only apply to groups from the same organization, to be billed on one single invoice. You need to supply names for each member of your group. Codes will be allocated by name. If you are pre-purchasing certifications for future staff members, let us know the staff members’ name as soon as possible.
Yes, the group codes expire 12 months following the date of purchase. A reactivation fee will apply to extend each code beyond the initial 12-month period.
We will need to discuss this individually. We do not offer refunds for unused or incorrect mix of levels once the purchase has been made. However, we will work with you to try and resolve issues if they arise.
We offer tiered discounts on all Swim Whisperers® Certifications for groups! To provide the most accurate quote, we consider the number of participants and the mix of certification levels you’re interested in. For more details on discounts and purchasing options, contact us at cert@swimangelfish.com.
We would love to talk to you about how we can work together, please email us at cert@swimangelfish.com.
