No focus, during swim class

[Anonymous]

Good afternoon, friends.
DS with ASD, 7.
Swim pool, as in playing, is his favorite activity.
But has no focus whatsoever when instructor asks him to do
something. He just wants to splash or try to swim on his own.

Anyone gone through a similar issue?
What techniques do you use to gain attention?
Thanks

[Anonymous]

They have some adaptive swim classes. Maybe one would be better? Or, can you go early for play time before class?

[Anonymous]

We stopped even trying swim lessons in indoor pools; it was so echo-y that focus was impossible. And individual lessons worked so much better for us than group lessons because there were fewer opportunities to lose focus.

[Anonymous]

Is the instructor someone who is used to teaching SN kids? A different instructor may make a difference.

Does he have a coveted pool toy? Breaking up the lesson into smaller chunks, e.g., working on kicking, then getting a turn with the toy, working on stroke then getting a turn with the toy. A waterproof watch with a timer would help if they can take this approach.

Make sure the instructor is breaking down instructions themselves into workable pieces, demonstrating hand over hand if necessary.

Ear plugs may help him focus b/c it would block out the echo and he could still watch the instructor for a demonstration of the skill.

[Anonymous]

Is it an individual lesson? If not try that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it an individual lesson? If not try that.

Yes, we only do private now.

[Anonymous]

DS was able to focus with, at most, 3 kids in a class and there couldn't be any other loud activities going on.

[Anonymous]

We did swimming through Fairfax Parks & Rec, and the ADA accommodations office provided a leisure coach to attend swimming class with him. It made a huge difference, and we loved our coach.