Guest guest Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 Did you check into your park district? I know I had in swimming at age 5 and our pool starts out very shallow and then goes deeper (like going into the ocean) at his class they never really swam they used kick boards to hold on to and kick their legs and they also learned to hold onto the side of the pool and wall walk. But they always had somekind of floatation divice with them. I would talk to whoever runs the swimming lessons and ask them what they think and I am sure if he is starting as a beginer then it will not be much work at all and they will stay in the shallow end of the pool. OR what about a parent/child class where you can be with him all the time. Good luck and I hope he gets to go. Crystal > > Cameron is 5 and recently asked me for swimming lessons. I'm not sure > how to proceed because with his low muscle tone (primarily in his upper > body) and non-functioning vestibular system he doesn't do well in water > much above his waist. Where his brother would instinctively start > " doggie paddling " at a young age, Cameron doesn't have that response. > When I have him in a flotation device (tube or life jacket) he is really > uncomfortable but I try to take his mind off of it by playing games and > doing silly things. I figure any time in the water is great therapy (and > fun). > > However, I would like him to be safe in the water and know how to swim. > Any advice on this is greatly appreciated. I could just put him in a > class with typical kids and see how things go but I wanted to see if > anyone on this list could share swimming experiences with us first. > > As always, thank you. > > Mom to Cameron, 5, CHaRGE and , 7 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 I don't have any experience with this yet, but my thought would be to have him take a few private lessons one on one with a teacher to gauge his readiness for the group class. That way any frustration or anxiety is dealt with outside of the group setting and then once he's ready put him in a group class. Just a thought. Re: Swimming lessons... Did you check into your park district? I know I had in swimming at age 5 and our pool starts out very shallow and then goes deeper (like going into the ocean) at his class they never really swam they used kick boards to hold on to and kick their legs and they also learned to hold onto the side of the pool and wall walk. But they always had somekind of floatation divice with them. I would talk to whoever runs the swimming lessons and ask them what they think and I am sure if he is starting as a beginer then it will not be much work at all and they will stay in the shallow end of the pool. OR what about a parent/child class where you can be with him all the time. Good luck and I hope he gets to go. Crystal > > Cameron is 5 and recently asked me for swimming lessons. I'm not sure > how to proceed because with his low muscle tone (primarily in his upper > body) and non-functioning vestibular system he doesn't do well in water > much above his waist. Where his brother would instinctively start > " doggie paddling " at a young age, Cameron doesn't have that response. > When I have him in a flotation device (tube or life jacket) he is really > uncomfortable but I try to take his mind off of it by playing games and > doing silly things. I figure any time in the water is great therapy (and > fun). > > However, I would like him to be safe in the water and know how to swim. > Any advice on this is greatly appreciated. I could just put him in a > class with typical kids and see how things go but I wanted to see if > anyone on this list could share swimming experiences with us first. > > As always, thank you. > > Mom to Cameron, 5, CHaRGE and , 7 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 -- We've had Eddie enrolled in a special needs swim at Children's Specialized Hospital. Our YMCA also offers lessons (but without the 1:1 support that Eddie needs). Maybe a YMCA near you has a program that would work for Cameron. joanne > Cameron is 5 and recently asked me for swimming lessons. I'm not sure > how to proceed because with his low muscle tone (primarily in his > upper > body) and non-functioning vestibular system he doesn't do well in > water > much above his waist. Where his brother would instinctively start > " doggie paddling " at a young age, Cameron doesn't have that response. > When I have him in a flotation device (tube or life jacket) he is > really > uncomfortable but I try to take his mind off of it by playing games > and > doing silly things. I figure any time in the water is great therapy > (and > fun). > > However, I would like him to be safe in the water and know how to > swim. > Any advice on this is greatly appreciated. I could just put him in a > class with typical kids and see how things go but I wanted to see if > anyone on this list could share swimming experiences with us first. > > As always, thank you. > > Mom to Cameron, 5, CHaRGE and , 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 I am putting Garland in a class that the Red Cross teaches. I asked if there would be any problems if I signed him up. I explained Garland's issues and they told me that they would take him, they have taught handicap children before. I am excited about this and so is Garland. I would say just ask to see if they would be able to take him. , Randy & Garland (5.5) Goodwin ---- becsterbear@...> wrote: ============= Cameron is 5 and recently asked me for swimming lessons. I'm not sure how to proceed because with his low muscle tone (primarily in his upper body) and non-functioning vestibular system he doesn't do well in water much above his waist. Where his brother would instinctively start " doggie paddling " at a young age, Cameron doesn't have that response. When I have him in a flotation device (tube or life jacket) he is really uncomfortable but I try to take his mind off of it by playing games and doing silly things. I figure any time in the water is great therapy (and fun). However, I would like him to be safe in the water and know how to swim. Any advice on this is greatly appreciated. I could just put him in a class with typical kids and see how things go but I wanted to see if anyone on this list could share swimming experiences with us first. As always, thank you. Mom to Cameron, 5, CHaRGE and , 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 - Aubrie has taken private lessons (sometimes with one friend) with a woman who is very good with her. I don't think she could have tolerated a group experience at our public pool with all the noise and wait time. Aubrie also is not comfortable in the water. She fancies herself a swimmer because she remembers her brother being on the swim team. But she's not comfortable putting her face in the water for more than a second and has a very hard time coordinating the movements of each side of her body. We try to do a session of swim lessons each summer to keep moving her forward regardless of how slow it seems to go. The goal isn't to develop a perfect stroke but to gain comfort and security in the water. If Cameron is asking for it, I'd certainly try to find the right teacher and situation for him. You'll have to explore the options in your community by calling each facility or person who already does lessons to see if they have something in place that would work or if they are willing to provide something special for him. Let us know how it goes. Michele W Aubrie's mom 9 yrs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 WIth me, it is hard for me to relax without freaking out, since I am so scared of a pool of water I think I will drown. I can stand up, but not tilt. Nuh uh. No way. No lying on my back. I seem to have a hard time coordinating everything at once, so I think learning how to swim might be hard. Well, its getting late. P.S. For those who have just sent me an email congratulating me, I thank you all for that. That is very special. RE: Swimming lessons... - Aubrie has taken private lessons (sometimes with one friend) with a woman who is very good with her. I don't think she could have tolerated a group experience at our public pool with all the noise and wait time. Aubrie also is not comfortable in the water. She fancies herself a swimmer because she remembers her brother being on the swim team. But she's not comfortable putting her face in the water for more than a second and has a very hard time coordinating the movements of each side of her body. We try to do a session of swim lessons each summer to keep moving her forward regardless of how slow it seems to go. The goal isn't to develop a perfect stroke but to gain comfort and security in the water. If Cameron is asking for it, I'd certainly try to find the right teacher and situation for him. You'll have to explore the options in your community by calling each facility or person who already does lessons to see if they have something in place that would work or if they are willing to provide something special for him. Let us know how it goes. Michele W Aubrie's mom 9 yrs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 Hi , You may not wish to pursue learning to swim, but if you per chance wished to learn, I'm wondering if a floatation device might be helpful. Feeling worried that one might get into trouble could be a strong deterrant to getting in the pool. Kendra loves a 'foam' noodle which she rests her arms upon when she swims across the pool. It keeps her bouyant and relaxed while she propels herself through the water. The fact that the noodle balances and floats helps her keep her head above water. She has complete control over how fast she wishes to go and in which direction. It's quite fun for her. Often times I borrow the 'noodle' from her and swim laps using it. Kendra swims without the noodle as well. But it is a great relief to know she can relax and swim around the pool with confidence. If you wish to follow a path to laerning to swim, the 'noodle' could be a great tool. Either now or sometime in the future. They are inexpensive and often available at Target, Toys R Us, or pharmacies. :-) RE: Swimming lessons... - Aubrie has taken private lessons (sometimes with one friend) with a woman who is very good with her. I don't think she could have tolerated a group experience at our public pool with all the noise and wait time. Aubrie also is not comfortable in the water. She fancies herself a swimmer because she remembers her brother being on the swim team. But she's not comfortable putting her face in the water for more than a second and has a very hard time coordinating the movements of each side of her body. We try to do a session of swim lessons each summer to keep moving her forward regardless of how slow it seems to go. The goal isn't to develop a perfect stroke but to gain comfort and security in the water. If Cameron is asking for it, I'd certainly try to find the right teacher and situation for him. You'll have to explore the options in your community by calling each facility or person who already does lessons to see if they have something in place that would work or if they are willing to provide something special for him. Let us know how it goes. Michele W Aubrie's mom 9 yrs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2007 Report Share Posted June 16, 2007 Not to mention, noodles are great for bopping your brothers, or your mother...lol I like to noodle myself...the lazy woman's way around the pool. lol. (Of course I'm exercising-don't you see me kicking??) Which reminds me, Alan puts one behind his head and one under his knees, and naps. (I don't need them for that. I can just lay down on top of the water-and I'll stay there....built-in flotation devices..lol ) ;-) ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2007 Report Share Posted June 16, 2007 , I like this idea for Kennedy; it might be something we could pursue. She loves the noodles, but more for trying to fill one end up with water and trying to hold it up high and see if she can get the water to run out. She's always experimenting with stuff like that. > > Hi , > > You may not wish to pursue learning to swim, but if you per chance wished > to learn, I'm wondering if a floatation device might be helpful. Feeling > worried that one might get into trouble could be a strong deterrant to > getting in the pool. Kendra loves a 'foam' noodle which she rests her arms > upon when she swims across the pool. It keeps her bouyant and relaxed while > she propels herself through the water. The fact that the noodle balances and > floats helps her keep her head above water. She has complete control over > how fast she wishes to go and in which direction. It's quite fun for her. > Often times I borrow the 'noodle' from her and swim laps using it. > > Kendra swims without the noodle as well. But it is a great relief to know > she can relax and swim around the pool with confidence. > > If you wish to follow a path to laerning to swim, the 'noodle' could be a > great tool. Either now or sometime in the future. They are inexpensive and > often available at Target, Toys R Us, or pharmacies. > > :-) > > RE: Swimming lessons... > > - > > Aubrie has taken private lessons (sometimes with one friend) with a woman > who is very good with her. I don't think she could have tolerated a group > experience at our public pool with all the noise and wait time. Aubrie > also > is not comfortable in the water. She fancies herself a swimmer because she > remembers her brother being on the swim team. But she's not comfortable > putting her face in the water for more than a second and has a very hard > time coordinating the movements of each side of her body. We try to do a > session of swim lessons each summer to keep moving her forward regardless > of > how slow it seems to go. The goal isn't to develop a perfect stroke but to > > gain comfort and security in the water. > > If Cameron is asking for it, I'd certainly try to find the right teacher > and > situation for him. You'll have to explore the options in your community by > calling each facility or person who already does lessons to see if they > have > something in place that would work or if they are willing to provide > something special for him. > > Let us know how it goes. > > Michele W > Aubrie's mom 9 yrs > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2007 Report Share Posted June 16, 2007 This is too hilarious ! I can't believe that Alan can actually nap while floating in the pool!!! I've got to try this. :-) (not telling Kendra or her brother or sister about the bopping your mother part! ) :-) LOL Re: Swimming lessons... Not to mention, noodles are great for bopping your brothers, or your mother...lol I like to noodle myself...the lazy woman's way around the pool. lol. (Of course I'm exercising-don't you see me kicking??) Which reminds me, Alan puts one behind his head and one under his knees, and naps. (I don't need them for that. I can just lay down on top of the water-and I'll stay there....built-in flotation devices..lol ) ;-) ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2007 Report Share Posted June 16, 2007 , wth this scientific 'bent', I wouldn't be surprised if Kennedy invented something even more effective for swimming. :-) RE: Swimming lessons... > > - > > Aubrie has taken private lessons (sometimes with one friend) with a woman > who is very good with her. I don't think she could have tolerated a group > experience at our public pool with all the noise and wait time. Aubrie > also > is not comfortable in the water. She fancies herself a swimmer because she > remembers her brother being on the swim team. But she's not comfortable > putting her face in the water for more than a second and has a very hard > time coordinating the movements of each side of her body. We try to do a > session of swim lessons each summer to keep moving her forward regardless > of > how slow it seems to go. The goal isn't to develop a perfect stroke but to > > gain comfort and security in the water. > > If Cameron is asking for it, I'd certainly try to find the right teacher > and > situation for him. You'll have to explore the options in your community by > calling each facility or person who already does lessons to see if they > have > something in place that would work or if they are willing to provide > something special for him. > > Let us know how it goes. > > Michele W > Aubrie's mom 9 yrs > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 Beth, I second this idea. Our daughter did really well with an instructor from Easter Seals who provided one-to-one lessons. Amazingly, while he didn't know much sign language, Kendra learned to do whatever he was teaching. For him she would float on her back and also she would swim the length of an olympic pool, with mostly a doggie-paddle style. His attitude and rapport was at least part of the key, I believe, to her enthusiasm and willingness to learn new things. Mom to Kendra Re: Swimming lessons... Did you check into your park district? I know I had in swimming at age 5 and our pool starts out very shallow and then goes deeper (like going into the ocean) at his class they never really swam they used kick boards to hold on to and kick their legs and they also learned to hold onto the side of the pool and wall walk. But they always had somekind of floatation divice with them. I would talk to whoever runs the swimming lessons and ask them what they think and I am sure if he is starting as a beginer then it will not be much work at all and they will stay in the shallow end of the pool. OR what about a parent/child class where you can be with him all the time. Good luck and I hope he gets to go. Crystal > > Cameron is 5 and recently asked me for swimming lessons. I'm not sure > how to proceed because with his low muscle tone (primarily in his upper > body) and non-functioning vestibular system he doesn't do well in water > much above his waist. Where his brother would instinctively start > " doggie paddling " at a young age, Cameron doesn't have that response. > When I have him in a flotation device (tube or life jacket) he is really > uncomfortable but I try to take his mind off of it by playing games and > doing silly things. I figure any time in the water is great therapy (and > fun). > > However, I would like him to be safe in the water and know how to swim. > Any advice on this is greatly appreciated. I could just put him in a > class with typical kids and see how things go but I wanted to see if > anyone on this list could share swimming experiences with us first. > > As always, thank you. > > Mom to Cameron, 5, CHaRGE and , 7 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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