At British Swim School, our mission is to “ensure that every person regardless of age or ability has the opportunity to become a safe and happy swimmer.” Our Adaptive Aquatics Program embodies this mission by tailoring our fun, gentle, and progressive teaching methods to each student’s unique abilities. We focus on water acclimation and developing swimming skills with safety as our top priority.
British Swim School instructors complete a minimum of 40 hours of specialized training on the BSS curriculum and teaching methods. Additionally, locations who offer Special Ability classes have undergone further training to offer this program, equipping our instructors with detailed knowledge of behavioral characteristics and a toolkit of strategies to address various disabilities and needs. We also provide ongoing educational opportunities to ensure our instructors are well-prepared to teach students of all abilities.
Initial Assessment
We begin by working closely with parents through a detailed questionnaire to understand each swimmers needs. This helps us match them with the best-fitting instructor, considering factors such as temperament, voice quality, tone, and personality.
Goal Setting
In collaboration with parents, we establish initial goals based on their abilities. These goals are dynamic and evolve as the swimmer progresses. Once a goal is met, we set new objectives to continue their development.
Ongoing Communication
We maintain regular communication with parents to update them on goal progress, current motivators, and any relevant information to ensure our teaching methods remain effective and beneficial.
About Our Dolphin LevelEach student in our Special Abilities and Adaptive Aquatics program is enrolled in our Dolphin level. Classes range from a 1:1 to 2:1 student: instructor ratio, depending on temperaments and goals. We believe students thrive when learning alongside peers, so we encourage having a “swim buddy” for motivation when possible. Initially though, we recommend a 1:1 ratio to help students become comfortable with the instructor, environment, and activities.
Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children with autism, making swimming lessons crucial for the special abilities’ community. Learning to swim is a critical life skill that can save lives.
Beyond water safety, participation in an aquatics program offers numerous benefits. Swimming complements land-based physical programs and activities. For children with physical challenges, water provides unique support, fostering greater independence than on land. Key benefits of aquatic activities include improved fitness, enhanced swimming abilities, increased water safety, and better quality of leisure time through structured practice, instructional tasks, and constructive feedback.
Following our mission our team is dedicated to teaching water survival skills to individuals of all ages and abilities. Our Adaptive Aquatics program is available at select locations. Please contact your local British Swim School for more information!
Rochester, NY