My autistic and autistic -suspected/adjacent kids do well with what I call "semi team sports" (like swimming and cross country) where there is a social element but the actual competitive part does not require significant social skills. Swim team has more of a sensory component so that would kind of depend on whether that's a challenge for your particular child. One of mine is afraid of water and can't swim so he obviously isn't on a swim team lol.

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone had their ASD kid join a swim team? Not special Olympics. My kid participated in summer swim and would like him to tryout for swim clubs next year. Has anyone done that before?

In my area it’s easier for kids to make club teams when they are early ES (5-8). After that there starts to be a big gap between the kids who are taking weekly lessons and the kids who are swimming on a team 2-3x/week year round. So to that end, I would have him try out next year and not delay.

Due to the number of kids who swim at once and obvious water safety concerns, your son would need to be able to listen and follow instructions in a pool, where there are going to be lots of distractions, for his own safety.

If he’s able to do a summer swim team at a local pool before tryouts for swim team he will be in a good place for tryouts.

My asd kid likes soccer and basketball even though he is not good at it. He likes team sports because he enjoys the interaction with other kids from other schools even though he is social awkward. He has played soccer & basketball for years. He likes playing in the pool with other kids rather than swimming in laps or practicing on strokes. He is probably considered the odd one enjoying the social interaction aspects even though he has asd.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, yes, tons of kids do. There’s no IEP disclosure required to try out for club swim. There are tons of autistic kids in swim.

Autistic kids gravitate to swim much more than things like soccer and basketball.

You just making up stuff based on stereotypes?

No, just sharing observations of the children I know.

Anonymous wrote:I mean, yes, tons of kids do. There’s no IEP disclosure required to try out for club swim. There are tons of autistic kids in swim.

Autistic kids gravitate to swim much more than things like soccer and basketball.

You just making up stuff based on stereotypes?

OP here. My son is 7. There are winter swim clinics and year round programs as well.

Just wondering if there are other autistic kids who joined and how they fit in with other swimmers.

I thought that there were swim programs like winter swim that kids can participate in without it being competitive? Kids can attend swim practice a few times a week to improve but it is more chill then being on a swim team. No try outs required.

Anonymous wrote:The diagnosis shouldn't be an issue at all. The only problem with some of the clubs are they are very hard to get into except if he's a top swimmer. But, absolutely let him try and maybe go to one of the smaller clubs where he'll get more attention. They care about times/speed/stroke, and not anything else. Do not disclose. Wait till he gets on the team and email the coach.

+1 My asd boy is worried that he won't make the tryout, so he does not even bother to give summer swim team a try. He has no problem with listening instructions, but he complains about that swim team is quite a commitment. We are not even thinking of swim team for the school year since it is no way that could fit our schedule. His stroke and speed are not that good even with private instructor.

The diagnosis shouldn't be an issue at all. The only problem with some of the clubs are they are very hard to get into except if he's a top swimmer. But, absolutely let him try and maybe go to one of the smaller clubs where he'll get more attention. They care about times/speed/stroke, and not anything else. Do not disclose. Wait till he gets on the team and email the coach.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes, for fall 2026. My son as one pp pointed out likes swimming more than soccer. He struggles with team sport, which I understand is not uncommon.

We are doing lessons and stroke and turn clinics to get him ready for next year. Just wondering if they would accept someone like him. He has a harder time following directions, frequently needs repeated instructions. Also, would you disclose his diagnosis prior to tryouts?

How old is your kid?

Yes, autistic kids participate in club swim all the time.

Your main problem is that you missed the tryout window.

Club tryouts are usually in July/August right after swim team season. Unless of course, your kid is ridiculously fast, then reach out to clubs and ask (but if you were at this level you would probably already know.)

The best way to maintain skills is to join a weekly class or clinic and try out for club next year.

OP here. Yes, for fall 2026. My son as one pp pointed out likes swimming more than soccer. He struggles with team sport, which I understand is not uncommon.

We are doing lessons and stroke and turn clinics to get him ready for next year. Just wondering if they would accept someone like him. He has a harder time following directions, frequently needs repeated instructions. Also, would you disclose his diagnosis prior to tryouts?

Do you mean fall of 2026? Swim team sign ups are mostly full for this fall. Plenty of kids with asd in club swim.

I mean, yes, tons of kids do. There’s no IEP disclosure required to try out for club swim. There are tons of autistic kids in swim.

Autistic kids gravitate to swim much more than things like soccer and basketball.

Has anyone had their ASD kid join a swim team? Not special Olympics. My kid participated in summer swim and would like him to tryout for swim clubs next year. Has anyone done that before?