Amazing Boy With Autism’s Journey From Fear to Swim Success

This is Shane’s Story of Swim Success. A young man with Autism and his journey from fear and anxiety to fun and independence.

Wouldn’t it be great to have a crystal ball and see what is possible ten years from now when you work with a two-year-old that is petrified of the water? Those early years with a child that has difficulty communicating, regulating sensory input, and adjusting to unpredictable group settings are so hard. As a new parent, this can be so overwhelming for both you and your child. But, as we share Shane’s journey, you will see how persistence, patience, love, support, and trust can make possible what seems impossible!

It Takes a Village…

Shane started in our Mom and Me swim class when he was only 2 years old. His Mom or Dad would take him in the pool, and he would cling to them. Any movement of his body that involved him floating on his belly or back, sent him into fight or flight. The feeling of buoyancy was scary to him, and he didn’t know how to control his body. We knew we needed to help him overcome his fear and anxiety during his swim lessons with us, and that he needed support from specially trained instructors using our time-tested and proven Swim Whisperers® method for adaptive swim.

The beauty of the Mom and Me class is that the parents have the support of each other, without any demands or expectations, and each child does their best without judgment or embarrassment. So many times, parents of young children on the spectrum feel judged or embarrassed in group classes when their child has a hard time. Our Mom and Me class called “Jumpstart Angelfish” is a place of acceptance and belonging and the parents feel that as soon as they enter the pool. At Swim Angelfish, it is important to us that everyone feels welcome and part of our family.

We helped Shane get comfortable by using our toolbox of techniques and slowly exposed him to different equipment in the water to help him feel safe. It was wonderful that he could do this with the comfort and support of his mom. The parents love feeling empowered to learn what to do with their child in the water. It gives them joy and a sense of accomplishment to do something that is therapeutic and an important life skill.

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Following the Mom and Me class, Shane started private adaptive swim lessons with Swim Angelfish. We helped him overcome roadblock after roadblock through the years. We even helped him transition to different instructors, pools, and eventually a small group with some of his peers. The motivation to do lessons with his peers took Shane’s independence to a new level. Working in a swim group provides opportunities for social interaction and friendships. He could not do some of the things they did, but he was motivated to try.

Having a supportive family that would reinforce what he was working on when they took family vacations and when he went to summer camp was a huge help.

Preparing for the Special Olympics

One day, during a swimming lesson, I asked Shane which sports he was motivated by and whether he would ever want to swim in a big race, like the Olympics. His mom showed him videos, and he agreed to try the Special Olympics.

Change is hard for Shane, and although he was doing so well learning all of his strokes in practice when he decides he doesn’t want to do something, it can be challenging. We were apprehensive about the large crowd, noise, waiting in line, and all of the things the Special Olympics would entail.

We talked with his mom about what would be the best way to prepare him for this. She talked to him about the details of the day, even brought him to the pool where the Special Olympics would be, and asked if he could get in and swim. This was huge for him. He got to feel the temperature, see the depth of the pool, experience the acoustics and prepare himself so that he knew what to expect on game day!

From An Anxious Swimmer to a Silver Medalist!

Shane was a huge success.

Not only did he participate in the games and handle all the unexpected waiting, registering, and noises as the start gun went off, he won a silver medal. The excitement and pride on his face when he received his medal is something I will never forget, as I remember his journey from the beginning.

Shane is so motivated and is working hard in his lessons – because this year, he’s going for gold!

Looking for Aquatic Therapist Training?

We can give you the tools you need to help special needs clients achieve therapy goals and improve their independence in the water.

Learn new treatment and handling techniques, understand how to integrate reflexes and overcome roadblocks to help your pediatric clients achieve their therapy goals. We have 4 in-depth online courses to choose from.

Our online training courses will help you strengthen your aquatic therapy skills and allow you to earn CEU’s. Our on-demand platform makes learning flexible to fit into your schedule.

Dive into Our Specialized Pediatric Aquatic Therapy Program!

The unique program that Swim Angelfish offers is created by an OT/PT team with over 60 years combined experience. We have experienced Recreation, Occupational, and Physical therapists who are specifically trained in pediatric aquatic therapy. We use a fun, innovative and multi-sensory approach using the therapeutic properties of the water to reach your specific therapy goals.

We can help improve self-regulation, motor coordination, strength, balance, endurance, and more. There are several options for therapy sessions depending on your needs, including private, semi-private, and small group sessions.

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.