Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism is a developmental disability that usually is noticed around the third year of life. Symptoms vary widely across the spectrum but generally include engaging in repetitive behaviors, and having difficulties with communication and social interactions. It affects all ethnic, racial and socioeconomic groups. One in 68 children born in the United States is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which released findings based on 2010 surveillance data.

Parents are often the first to notice the symptoms, such as when a child doesn't make eye contact, according to the nonprofit Autism Speaks. Concerned parents shouldn't panic, but they should have a talk with their family pediatrician.

(Sydney Lupkin, Good Morning America)

How Swimming Can Benefit Children With Autism and Other Special Needs

Children with autism can usually do anything neurotypical children can as long as they have proper guidance. It helps to recognize how an activity like swimming can benefit kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The benefits to teaching special needs children swimming range from gross motor to cognitive skills, to muscle strength and endurance and improvement in overall communication skills. Swimming fosters courage, confidence, trust and helps to develop friendships. It’s great for socialization and relaxation.

DROWNING PREVENTION

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children and adults on the autism spectrum. According to the National Autism Association, accidental drowning accounted for approximately 90% of total U.S. reported deaths in children with an ASD under the age of 14. Although water safety and drowning prevention is important for every child to learn, children on the autism spectrum are at higher risk because they may seek isolation by fleeing to unfamiliar territories, says Dr. Varleisha Gibbs, OTD, OTR/L. In addition, most are naturally drawn to the water. Learning how to swim along with learning vital water safety skills can serve to save lives and prevent drowning.

INVALUABLE THERAPY

Besides drowning prevention and water safety, parents report other side effects from learning how to swim, including improved speech and cognitive function. According to an article published in the International Journal of Sport Psychology, water is a soothing environment that emphasizes gentle and repetitive motion. For children on the autism spectrum, the water on the body has a calming effect and reduces any enervating noises. Parents notice that pool time helps students cope with everyday stresses outside of the water as well.

A SOCIAL OUTLET

According to the Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation (ASDF), swimming can help children on the autism spectrum improve speech, coordination, social skills, self-esteem, and cognitive processing. While these children are often excluded from other sports because there are too many elements to focus on, being underwater can provide them with alone time where he or she doesn’t have to anticipate a ball being passed to them or be responsible for the success of a team. Swimming provides an excellent opportunity for parallel play and for a child to be in the play environment but to interact at a level that is comfortable for them.

(As cited from Texas Swim Academy)

Jump Start Swimming Lessons

Jump Start Swimming provides lessons to children with special needs such as Autism by offering lessons that are customized for each student’s emotional and developmental capabilities whether that student has special needs or not. With each child a goal is set of helping him or her become physically active and learn the life-saving skill of swimming.

As a single parent, you might not feel like you have the time or energy to squeeze one more thing into your schedule, especially if it involves working up a sweat. But exercise can actually increase your energy level. Making your way from the sofa to a sweat session should get easier with patience, practice, and a positive attitude while giving you a boost all day long. And, there are even exercise routines that will get your kids up and moving, too. Start with these suggestions to find a fitness fit for your family.

Working out at home

There are several exercises you can do at home with basic equipment. For instance, you can invest in a pair of light dumbbells and use them for upper-body strength exercises including bicep curls, tricep curls, and shoulder raises. Old-school options including pushups and situps are also just as effective today as when you did them during middle school gym class.

Although some high-end yoga mats can cost upwards of $100, you can also find a wide variety of options for a fifth of the price. Several fitness companies also make mats specifically designed with kids in mind. So you and your pint-sized partners can count each other’s reps during strengthening exercises or stretch your muscles and minds during a yoga session. There are a number of free and cost-conscious videos and smartphone apps that can help you practice poses.

Joining a gym

If your budget and busy schedule makes joining a gym an option, choosing a family-friendly fitness center is your best option. Depending on your kids’ ages, you might want to select a gym that offers its own childcare center or kids’ classes that will help keep them active and occupied during your workouts, according to the health website Verywell. Tour the gym and ask questions about fees and qualifications for instructors and childcare providers to help make sure the fitness facility will be affordable and comfortable for both you and the kids. Otherwise, a stop at the drive-thru restaurant will probably be a lot more tempting than a trip to the gym.

Everyday exercise

Walking and running are among the easiest ways to squeeze fitness into a tight schedule and budget. And one or both activities can be adapted to suit kids and adults of nearly every age and fitness level. For instance, Parents magazine suggests scheduling a daily walk before or after dinner and making it more fun for your tiny tagalongs by incorporating games like I Spy. Or, sign up for a fundraising walk or run as a family to get some exercise for a good cause.

Swimming is another family-friendly fitness activity, and adults and kids can practice in the pool or on a warm-weather vacation to an ocean- or lakeside lodge. There are a number of classes for exercisers of all ages to sharpen their swim skills, including some that single parents can take right alongside their water babies.

This water-based workout is truly total body because it tones muscles and builds strength and endurance while exercising your heart and lungs, according to Healthline. So it’s no wonder a 160-pound person burns about 423 calories an hour by swimming laps at a low to moderate pace compared with 314 calories burned while walking or 365 calories burned aboard an elliptical trainer. Swimming can also help people sleep more soundly -- good news for kids and parents alike.

Try these tips to incorporate more exercise into your single-parent schedule. Who knows? Maybe you’ll have your kids running to keep up with you for a change.

Benefits of Swimming for Children with Autism