On a beautiful 90-degree day, parents sat shaded under umbrellas at the Fairway Swimming Pool.
Lisa Mische-Lawson (left) worked with Stephen on his swimming skills, including getting his face in the water, during a class for children with autism spectrum disorders Wednesday at the Fairway Swimming Pool
Lisa Mische-Lawson (left) worked with Stephen on his swimming skills, including getting his face in the water, during a class for children with autism spectrum disorders Wednesday at the Fairway Swimming Pool
Their kids splashed in the crystal blue water under the direction of occupational therapy students at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Their kids splashed in the crystal blue water under the direction
of occupational therapy students at the University of Kansas Medical
Center.
“Good job!” rang out time and again, accompanied by the wet smack of high-fives. Support is important when teaching these kids to swim.
They range from age 4 to 17 and rank along the spectrum of autism disorders.
While other children can be drawn almost irresistibly to the joys of flopping about in a pool, these kids sometimes find the water a place of discomfort — without the right introduction.
“For us, the cold water might be uncomfortable; for them, it might be completely intolerable,” said Lisa Mische-Lawson, a KU associate professor of occupational therapy. “It’s almost like (they feel) those sensations to the extreme.”
KU Med began the program a year ago and is partnering for the first time this year with the Fairway Parks & Recreation Department. KU Med provides the instructors and Fairway opens up its pool. The work is supported by a $17,427 grant from Autism Speaks.
Mische-Lawson said kids with autism spectrum disorders have sensory processing preferences that are different from others learning to swim.
Wednesday was the kickoff for this year’s program. Nathan Nogelmeier, Fairway’s director of parks and recreation, said room remains for more children in a second four-week session beginning July 10.
The class costs $90 for residents of Fairway or people who have a pool membership, $95 for non-residents without a membership.
“You can look in the water and see how important this is,” Nogelmeier said.
Mische-Lawson worked with a young boy, Stephen, who she said already knew how to swim. He just needed help learning specific strokes.
“It allows him to feel confident,” Stephen’s mom said. “It gives him an opportunity to swim with other peers and not have to keep up.”
Mische-Lawson said it is great to have instructors in the water with the kids who understand how to work with them. Fairway’s own lifeguards will learn from the KU Med students how to work with children whose needs are a little different and help with the program.
“Sometimes kids come in with no experience … but by the end of it they are enjoying the water and need no support at all,” said Julie D’Adamo, a 21-year-old student applying for the graduate program. “It’s so rewarding.”
To reach Trey Williams, call 816-234-4073 or send email to twilliams@kcstar.com.
“Good job!” rang out time and again, accompanied by the wet smack of high-fives. Support is important when teaching these kids to swim.
They range from age 4 to 17 and rank along the spectrum of autism disorders.
While other children can be drawn almost irresistibly to the joys of flopping about in a pool, these kids sometimes find the water a place of discomfort — without the right introduction.
“For us, the cold water might be uncomfortable; for them, it might be completely intolerable,” said Lisa Mische-Lawson, a KU associate professor of occupational therapy. “It’s almost like (they feel) those sensations to the extreme.”
KU Med began the program a year ago and is partnering for the first time this year with the Fairway Parks & Recreation Department. KU Med provides the instructors and Fairway opens up its pool. The work is supported by a $17,427 grant from Autism Speaks.
Mische-Lawson said kids with autism spectrum disorders have sensory processing preferences that are different from others learning to swim.
Wednesday was the kickoff for this year’s program. Nathan Nogelmeier, Fairway’s director of parks and recreation, said room remains for more children in a second four-week session beginning July 10.
The class costs $90 for residents of Fairway or people who have a pool membership, $95 for non-residents without a membership.
“You can look in the water and see how important this is,” Nogelmeier said.
Mische-Lawson worked with a young boy, Stephen, who she said already knew how to swim. He just needed help learning specific strokes.
“It allows him to feel confident,” Stephen’s mom said. “It gives him an opportunity to swim with other peers and not have to keep up.”
Mische-Lawson said it is great to have instructors in the water with the kids who understand how to work with them. Fairway’s own lifeguards will learn from the KU Med students how to work with children whose needs are a little different and help with the program.
“Sometimes kids come in with no experience … but by the end of it they are enjoying the water and need no support at all,” said Julie D’Adamo, a 21-year-old student applying for the graduate program. “It’s so rewarding.”
To reach Trey Williams, call 816-234-4073 or send email to twilliams@kcstar.com.
Note : University of Kansas Medical Center began the program a year ago and is
partnering for the first time this year with the Fairway Parks &
Recreation Department. KU Med provides the instructors and Fairway opens
up its pool. The work is supported by a $17,427 grant from Autism
Speaks. (June 13, 2013 Video by Tammy Ljungblad | The Kansas City Star)
Source : Kansas City , 12th June 2013
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