swimming lessons

[Guest guest]

What place would anyone recommend for swimming lessons for my 9 yr old son with

autism?

Debbie

[Guest guest]

I would highly recommend Baby Otter Swim School! I have two Autistic children,

one of which I was told last summer was " too Autistic " to learn in their program

and would have to have further very expensive private lessons. After hearing

that, we signed up with Baby Otter, who couldn't promise he'd learn in five

days, but promised to stay with him for free until he learned! BOTH of my

children learned to swim in five days, went on to join their Special Needs Swim

Team and now jump into the deep end and swim across the entire pool! They were

4 and 5 years old when they took their lessons. They continue to swim in

Special Needs classes that are instructional and social! Baby Otter has brought

so much peace to our home and given both of my children a tremendous amount of

confidence, two things that make us forever in their debt!

They're located in Plantation and their number is , call and talk to

Staci! It's family owned and they have so much compassion!

>

> What place would anyone recommend for swimming lessons for my 9 yr old son

with autism?

> Debbie

>

[Guest guest]

Baby Otter Swim School, Plantation.

Miami Children's Hospital Dan Marino Center in Weston

Here is a better one: Children's Services Council of Broward Co., Swim Central (resource and referral servicefor available low-cost swim programs):

Hope this helps.

Carolina Harp

Cel

Autism Speaks.  It's time to listen'

El Autismo tiene voz.  Es hora de que escuchemos!

Sent From My HTC EVO

[Guest guest]

We moved down here when our son was that age. WE GAVE HIM PRIVATE SWIMMING

LESSONS, WHICH worked.

Sent from my iPad

[Guest guest]

Just Swim in Broward is an excellent program. My 7 year old son has been working with Coach Jeff Gershe for the last 3 years. Jeff has a lot of experience with working with kids who have special needs. Jeff has taught dozens of ASD kids in my community how to swim. The link to the web site is http://justswim.us/

Good luck,

Bart Barta

To: sList Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 10:03:39 PMSubject: swimming lessons

What place would anyone recommend for swimming lessons for my 9 yr old son with autism?Debbie

[Guest guest]

Try the michael ann russell jcc in north miami beach. They work with all the victory school studentsSent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerryFrom: btbarta@...Sender: sList Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 12:05:50 +0000 (UTC)To: <sList >ReplyTo: sList Subject: Re: swimming lessons Just Swim in Broward is an excellent program. My 7 year old son has been working with Coach Jeff Gershe for the last 3 years. Jeff has a lot of experience with working with kids who have special needs. Jeff has taught dozens of ASD kids in my community how to swim. The link to the web site is http://justswim.us/ Good luck, Bart Barta To: sList Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 10:03:39 PMSubject: swimming lessons What place would anyone recommend for swimming lessons for my 9 yr old son with autism?Debbie

[Guest guest]

I highly recommend Dino at the Dan Marino center in Weston. She has tons of experience working with our kids.

Subject: Re: swimming lessonsTo: sList Date: Wednesday, May 25, 2011, 9:20 AM

Try the michael ann russell jcc in north miami beach. They work with all the victory school students

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

From: btbarta@...

Sender: sList

Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 12:05:50 +0000 (UTC)

To: <sList >

ReplyTo: sList

Subject: Re: swimming lessons

Just Swim in Broward is an excellent program. My 7 year old son has been working with Coach Jeff Gershe for the last 3 years. Jeff has a lot of experience with working with kids who have special needs. Jeff has taught dozens of ASD kids in my community how to swim. The link to the web site is http://justswim.us/

Good luck,

Bart Barta

To: sList Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 10:03:39 PMSubject: swimming lessons

What place would anyone recommend for swimming lessons for my 9 yr old son with autism?Debbie

[Guest guest]

we went there, they (two women) put my son's head in the water against his will.

To: sList From: cate521105@...Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 02:38:56 +0000Subject: Re: swimming lessons

I would highly recommend Baby Otter Swim School! I have two Autistic children, one of which I was told last summer was "too Autistic" to learn in their program and would have to have further very expensive private lessons. After hearing that, we signed up with Baby Otter, who couldn't promise he'd learn in five days, but promised to stay with him for free until he learned! BOTH of my children learned to swim in five days, went on to join their Special Needs Swim Team and now jump into the deep end and swim across the entire pool! They were 4 and 5 years old when they took their lessons. They continue to swim in Special Needs classes that are instructional and social! Baby Otter has brought so much peace to our home and given both of my children a tremendous amount of confidence, two things that make us forever in their debt!They're located in Plantation and their number is , call and talk to Staci! It's family owned and they have so much compassion!>> What place would anyone recommend for swimming lessons for my 9 yr old son with autism?> Debbie>

[Guest guest]

Their technique worked very well for my kids and for numerous children I know, I guess it depends on the child.

we went there, they (two women) put my son's head in the water against his will.

To: sList From: cate521105@...Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 02:38:56 +0000Subject: Re: swimming lessons

I would highly recommend Baby Otter Swim School! I have two Autistic children, one of which I was told last summer was "too Autistic" to learn in their program and would have to have further very expensive private lessons. After hearing that, we signed up with Baby Otter, who couldn't promise he'd learn in five days, but promised to stay with him for free until he learned! BOTH of my children learned to swim in five days, went on to join their Special Needs Swim Team and now jump into the deep end and swim across the entire pool! They were 4 and 5 years old when they took their lessons. They continue to swim in Special Needs classes that are instructional and social! Baby Otter has brought so much peace to our home and given both of my children a tremendous amount of confidence, two things that make us forever in their debt!They're located in Plantation and their number is , call and talk to Staci! It's family owned and they have so much compassion!>> What place would anyone recommend for swimming lessons for my 9 yr old son with autism?> Debbie>

[Guest guest]

Similar to what happened to Noah at British Swim School when they were in Coral Springs. Instructors wouldn't allow me in the pool area, then almost literally tossed him in the pool and told him to swim. Before the next lesson, he was sick in the parking lot and refused to go in (he was still non-verbal at the time). So we brought him home, and he taught himself to swim in our pool, much like he taught himself to walk at 9 months, refusing any assistance.

To: deniseslist Sent: Wed, May 25, 2011 8:03:34 PMSubject: RE: Re: swimming lessons

we went there, they (two women) put my son's head in the water against his will.

To: sList From: cate521105@...Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 02:38:56 +0000Subject: Re: swimming lessons

I would highly recommend Baby Otter Swim School! I have two Autistic children, one of which I was told last summer was "too Autistic" to learn in their program and would have to have further very expensive private lessons. After hearing that, we signed up with Baby Otter, who couldn't promise he'd learn in five days, but promised to stay with him for free until he learned! BOTH of my children learned to swim in five days, went on to join their Special Needs Swim Team and now jump into the deep end and swim across the entire pool! They were 4 and 5 years old when they took their lessons. They continue to swim in Special Needs classes that are instructional and social! Baby Otter has brought so much peace to our home and given both of my children a tremendous amount of confidence, two things that make us forever in their debt!They're located in Plantation and their number is , call and talk to Staci! It's family

owned and they have so much compassion!>> What place would anyone recommend for swimming lessons for my 9 yr old son with autism?> Debbie>

[Guest guest]

Hearing this I'm amazed at how some people call themselves " teachers " for special kids.  Even more, I was reading that in Broward County, those wanting to give swimming lessons to autistic kids have to have  an additional certification.

Carolina

Autism Speaks.  It's time to listen'

El Autismo tiene voz.  Es hora de que escuchemos!

Sent From My HTC EVO

> Similar to what happened to Noah at British Swim School when they were in Coral

> Springs.  Instructors wouldn't allow me in the pool area, then almost literally > tossed him in the pool and told him to swim.  Before the next lesson, he was > sick in the parking lot and refused to go in (he was still non-verbal at the

> time).  So we brought him home, and he taught himself to swim in our pool, much > like he taught himself to walk at 9 months, refusing any assistance.> > > > > >

> ________________________________> > To: deniseslist

> Sent: Wed, May 25, 2011 8:03:34 PM> Subject: RE: Re: swimming lessons> >   > we went there, they (two women) put my son's head in the water against his > will. 

> > ________________________________> To: sList > Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 02:38:56 +0000

> Subject: Re: swimming lessons> >   > I would highly recommend Baby Otter Swim School! I have two Autistic children, > one of which I was told last summer was " too Autistic " to learn in their program

> and would have to have further very expensive private lessons. After hearing > that, we signed up with Baby Otter, who couldn't promise he'd learn in five > days, but promised to stay with him for free until he learned! BOTH of my

> children learned to swim in five days, went on to join their Special Needs Swim > Team and now jump into the deep end and swim across the entire pool! They were 4 > and 5 years old when they took their lessons. They continue to swim in Special

> Needs classes that are instructional and social! Baby Otter has brought so much > peace to our home and given both of my children a tremendous amount of > confidence, two things that make us forever in their debt!

> > They're located in Plantation and their number is , call and talk to > Staci! It's family owned and they have so much compassion!> >

>>>> What place would anyone recommend for swimming lessons for my 9 yr old son with >>autism?>> Debbie>>> > >

[Guest guest]

I had my daughter in the 1:1 swimming class for special needs at the Plantation Central Park pool and I didn't even live in the city at the time. They were wonderful. I couldn't afford any more lessons and brought her to the community pool at times when no one was really out there and she also taught herself after playing about for months with me with her in the pool. Now she's like a fish. I think once they find the sensation they get with themselves and the water without intervention they love it, but with safety always in mind. I still stay either in the water or next to the pool.

To: sList Sent: Thu, May 26, 2011 9:59:07 AMSubject: Re: Re: swimming lessons

Hearing this I'm amazed at how some people call themselves "teachers" for special kids. Even more, I was reading that in Broward County, those wanting to give swimming lessons to autistic kids have to have an additional certification.

CarolinaAutism Speaks. It's time to listen'

El Autismo tiene voz. Es hora de que escuchemos!

Sent From My HTC EVO

> Similar to what happened to Noah at British Swim School when they were in Coral > Springs. Instructors wouldn't allow me in the pool area, then almost literally > tossed him in the pool and told him to swim. Before the next lesson, he was > sick in the parking lot and refused to go in (he was still non-verbal at the > time). So we brought him home, and he taught himself to swim in our pool, much > like he taught himself to walk at 9 months, refusing any assistance.> > > > > > > ________________________________> > To: deniseslist > Sent: Wed, May 25, 2011 8:03:34 PM> Subject: RE: Re: swimming lessons> > > we went there, they (two women) put my son's head in the water against his > will. > > ________________________________> To: sList > Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 02:38:56 +0000> Subject: Re: swimming lessons> > > I would highly recommend Baby

Otter Swim School! I have two Autistic children, > one of which I was told last summer was "too Autistic" to learn in their program > and would have to have further very expensive private lessons. After hearing > that, we signed up with Baby Otter, who couldn't promise he'd learn in five > days, but promised to stay with him for free until he learned! BOTH of my > children learned to swim in five days, went on to join their Special Needs Swim > Team and now jump into the deep end and swim across the entire pool! They were 4 > and 5 years old when they took their lessons. They continue to swim in Special > Needs classes that are instructional and social! Baby Otter has brought so much > peace to our home and given both of my children a tremendous amount of > confidence, two things that make us forever in their debt!> > They're located in Plantation and their number is

, call and talk to > Staci! It's family owned and they have so much compassion!> > >>>> What place would anyone recommend for swimming lessons for my 9 yr old son with >>autism?>> Debbie>>> > >

[Guest guest]

I also went there and had ms …she was great with my daughter who definitely gave her a run for her money.  I don’t think she is there anymore but worth checking out.  From: sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf Of cherylSent: Thursday, May 26, 2011 12:42 PMTo: sList Subject: Re: Re: swimming lessons I had my daughter in the 1:1 swimming class for special needs at the Plantation Central Park pool and I didn't even live in the city at the time. They were wonderful. I couldn't afford any more lessons and brought her to the community pool at times when no one was really out there and she also taught herself after playing about for months with me with her in the pool. Now she's like a fish. I think once they find the sensation they get with themselves and the water without intervention they love it, but with safety always in mind. I still stay either in the water or next to the pool. To: sList Sent: Thu, May 26, 2011 9:59:07 AMSubject: Re: Re: swimming lessons Hearing this I'm amazed at how some people call themselves " teachers " for special kids. Even more, I was reading that in Broward County, those wanting to give swimming lessons to autistic kids have to have an additional certification.CarolinaAutism Speaks. It's time to listen'El Autismo tiene voz. Es hora de que escuchemos!Sent From My HTC EVO > Similar to what happened to Noah at British Swim School when they were in Coral > Springs. Instructors wouldn't allow me in the pool area, then almost literally > tossed him in the pool and told him to swim. Before the next lesson, he was > sick in the parking lot and refused to go in (he was still non-verbal at the > time). So we brought him home, and he taught himself to swim in our pool, much > like he taught himself to walk at 9 months, refusing any assistance.> > > > > > > ________________________________> > To: deniseslist > Sent: Wed, May 25, 2011 8:03:34 PM> Subject: RE: Re: swimming lessons> > > we went there, they (two women) put my son's head in the water against his > will. > > ________________________________> To: sList > Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 02:38:56 +0000> Subject: Re: swimming lessons> > > I would highly recommend Baby Otter Swim School! I have two Autistic children, > one of which I was told last summer was " too Autistic " to learn in their program > and would have to have further very expensive private lessons. After hearing > that, we signed up with Baby Otter, who couldn't promise he'd learn in five > days, but promised to stay with him for free until he learned! BOTH of my > children learned to swim in five days, went on to join their Special Needs Swim > Team and now jump into the deep end and swim across the entire pool! They were 4 > and 5 years old when they took their lessons. They continue to swim in Special > Needs classes that are instructional and social! Baby Otter has brought so much > peace to our home and given both of my children a tremendous amount of > confidence, two things that make us forever in their debt!> > They're located in Plantation and their number is , call and talk to > Staci! It's family owned and they have so much compassion!> > >>>> What place would anyone recommend for swimming lessons for my 9 yr old son with >>autism?>> Debbie>>> > > No virus found in this message.Checked by AVG - www.avg.comVersion: 10.0.1375 / Virus Database: 1509/3661 - Release Date: 05/26/11

[Guest guest]

I strongly DO NOT recommend Baby Otter.

My son just finished a 6 week program and it was a big waste of money.

This was a group setting. Not one to one. Perhaps if you pay for one to one it

will be a different experience than mine. Ours was a class for kids who already

knew how to swim and just to perfect their strokes, do swimming laps, etc. and

catered to kids with autism " supposedly " . My son can " swim " in his own way so

this seemed perfect that they would be able to teach him.

The classes were 45 minute sessions. The first class the instructors all took

turns with the kids. It took 23 minutes for them to get around to my son. All

this time he was being held by one of the lifeguards and not allowed to splash

around at all while he waited. Other times if he was left to play until someone

" got to him " he was not allowed to jump in the pool or run (more like shuffling

his feet) in (beach entry pool). He would get scolded accross the pool and he

was expected to understand that the " accross the pool " screaming was for him and

the reasons why. No one ever sat him, looked him in the eye to set the

boundaries. How is he supposed to know right off the bat that it's ok to jump

into the pool at home and every other pool, just not this one?

They then gave him " timeouts " for the behavior. After I voiced my concern, the

2nd class was a bit better but by the 3rd it was back to my son having all this

free time and getting scolded again. Why the free time? because no one was with

him to " teach " him despite all of us paying the same rate. If he was being

taught then he would not have time to play.

By the end of the 6 weeks he had learned NOTHING. Not a single thing. There were

other repeat kids there that were more high functioning who they worked with

more often than my son and who they seemed to know previously before this

session. Not being petty, just stating my observations. My son is 9 and believe

me, I have been through every single type of therapy/class and back. Not my

first time in a good or bad setting. I was not expecting exclusiveness but I was

expecting more than 5-10 minutes of instruction in a 45 minute block of time.

During the 5-10 minute instruction total that he would get, most of the

instructors he got (one with an English accent) were very nice and patient.

In addition,one of the instructors grandson (3 or 4 yrs. old)who was usually

there during our sessions and usually watched by his big sister was included in

the turn taking for swimming to the wall. Really? during our time? Another time

they were short one instructor and the grandson's sister/babysitter as well so

my son played in the pool entry more than usual while the main instructor sat in

the lifeguard chair on her cell. I have a photo which I had to take because I

could not believe it!

I decided to just take it as a loss and instead of continuing to voice my

concern or not show up again, I used it as play//social time for my son, cut my

losses and will never return. Luckily, because of his autism, and happy, " life

is great disposition " , he had no idea that 1. he was beind reprimanded and 2.

this was not just for fun.

Save your money and go elsewhere.

My son was initially taught by Dino in at home private sessions years

ago. I think she teaches at Dan Marino's now. It was great until later in the

summer when she shoved his head under to transition him into picking up rings at

the bottom of the pool floor. This then made him not only hate swimming from

that day on but he went on a one year pool strike. He taught himself eventually

on his own and with our help. No further instruction needed.

> >>

> >> What place would anyone recommend for swimming lessons for my 9 yr old son

with

> >>autism?

> >> Debbie

> >>

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

> _____

>

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>