Comments on: He’s a Really Good Swimmer, Really

By: Tami

Tami — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:48:35 +0000

Thank you for your information, and for this board. Can I ask what state you are in?

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:45:03 +0000

The Special Olympics seems to vary from state to state—–we looked into the program in our state and were told that our son has to be able to do strokes. He really needs a 1:1 teacher and private lessons to learn these—maybe the Special Olympics could recommend someone?

Sounds like you have a very lot going on—-

By: Tami

Tami — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:04:39 +0000

Abigail has not had private lessons. I have just recently began looking into Special Olympics. I got on-line and it looked like we need to get our own coach??? This is all new to me. My husband is 90% of the time bedridden, and I am having major back surgery (from moving around both of them) in June. I wanted to try to get Abigail involved in something before my surgery, so that she isn’t couped up for 5 weeks when I am down. I will call Special Olympics today for direction.

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 06:04:51 +0000

We have not gotten too far—we’ve spoken to some other parents with autistic kids and one mother said that her husband takes her son (he’s a bit older than Charlie) to the pool and they swim together in a lane. Have you been in contact with whoever runs the Special Olympics?

What I really think would help Charlie is to have a 1:1 swimming lesson and he is on the (very long) waiting list for private lessons at the Y, along with a number of other children. Looking for a teacher who’s willing to use some ABA-type techniques to teach Charlie is still a goal on my list. Has your daughter taken private lessons?

By: Tami

Tami — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:50:33 +0000

I curious to know if anything came about finding Charlie a place to swim. I have a 9 year old with mild cerebral palsy and mentally at 47%. Abigail LOVES to swim. She is overweight and I think structured swimming would be wonderful for her. I am just starting out trying to find out how to get her involved in a program and work towards Special Olympics. Any advice on where to start?

By: At Poolside

At Poolside — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 09:47:01 +0000

[...] have noted both how Charlie and I feel at home at the pool, simply because water seems to be my boy’s natural element, and also how, of late, we have [...]

By: Lolasmom

Lolasmom — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:57:42 +0000

Nah, I’m in Columbus, Ohio. It’s a pretty big city, so I’m sure there are a lot of programs here. I just have yet to find the right one.

Kristina, I’m glad I’m not the only one! I’ve actually never been able to do a cartwheel – I think I was one of like 3 girls who didn’t try out for cheerleading in jr. high. Luckily Lola takes after her father when it comes to her athleticism. I could do with less jumping on the bed, balancing across the back of the couch, and climbing over the fence, though…

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 05:12:36 +0000

Lolasmom, I can’t even turn a forward roll!

By: Maria

Maria — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 04:57:03 +0000

Lolasmom,

Are you by any chance in the LA area? There are several programs here in adaptive gymnastics which incorporate gymnastics at a regular gymnastics school/gym with sensory integration and other OT techniques.

By: Lolasmom

Lolasmom — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:03:18 +0000

You might be surprised by how accommodating the Y might be. I hope so, anyway. If not, though, what about calling one of the larger, local highschools? They usually have lap pools for the swim team, and there’s no way they are in use every afternoon.

I sympathize, Kristina. I went through the same thing with Lola looking for a gymnastic class for her. She won’t sit quietly and follow instructions like the regular 3 year old class, but she’s WAY too physically coordinated and advanced for one of the younger classes. I am still looking for a good open gym, where she can try the balance beam and parallel bars for a change. Of course, that would mean I would have to instruct her, and my skills are about nil – I can’t even do a cartwheel.