Adaptive Swim Lessons
Specialized swim instruction for kids who need more than traditional swim lessons
Some children need more support, more patience, and a more sensory aware approach to feel safe and successful in the water. Our Adaptive Swim Lessons are designed specifically for children who learn differently and have not yet found the right fit in typical group classes.
At Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services, adaptive swim is led by Certified Swim Whisperers® instructors who understand sensory processing, motor skills, and self-regulation. Every lesson is designed to build water safety, confidence, and real swimming skills in a way that matches your child’s needs.
Who Benefits from Adaptive Swim Lessons
Our program is a great fit for children who:
Have autism or other developmental differences
Have motor planning or coordination challenges
Experiences anxiety or fear around water
Do best with one-on-one or highly structured support
Have sensory processing differences
Have not made progress in traditional lessons
If your child learns differently, we adjust how we teach so they can still learn to be safer, get comfortable in the water, and learn how to swim.
What We Focus On
Each lesson is planned around key building blocks that support both safety and skill.
Water Readiness
We start by helping your child feel comfortable and secure in the pool environment. This can include:
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Getting used to having water on the face and head
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Adjusting to the feeling of moving through the water
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Learning how their body feels when supported and when floating
Water Safety
Safety skills are woven into every session so your child learns what to do in and around the pool. We work on:
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Safe entry and exit
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Breath control and calm submersion
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Floating skills for safety
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How to turn and return to the wall
Technique Adaptation
Your child’s sensory profile and motor skills guide how we teach each stroke. We adapt:
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Stroke mechanics to match strength, timing, and coordination
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Visual and verbal cues to fit how your child best understands information
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Practice structure so skills are built in clear, manageable steps
Self-Regulation Strategies
Because swimming can be exciting and intense, we use regulation tools to help your child stay organized and ready to learn, such as:
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Visual prompts and clear routines
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Gradual exposure to new skills and sensations
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Predictable lesson structure so your child knows what comes next
Independent Swimming
Over time, we move from full support toward greater independence. This progression may include:
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Assisted floating
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Treading water
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Independent swimming
Every new step is introduced thoughtfully, with your child’s comfort and readiness in mind.
What a Sessions Looks Like
A typical adaptive swim lesson at POTS includes:
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A quick check in with you to review any updates or goals
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A warm-up to help your child settle into the water and routine
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Focused practice on water safety, readiness, and swim skills
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Built-in regulation breaks when needed
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A brief recap at the end, so you know what your child worked on and how to support them between sessions
Lessons are paced to your child’s individual needs, strengths, and challenges. The goal is steady, meaningful progress and joy in the water.​​
Ready to See If Adaptive Swim is Right For Your Child?
We know choosing a program is a big decision, and you may still have questions.