We think swim lessons are beneficial for children of all ages, no matter what your little one’s swimming ability is. And for kids with ADHD, swim lessons can be especially beneficial and help them in areas of life outside of the water.
Our adaptive swim program has been specially designed to benefit children and adults with a range of special needs including ADHD, autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, down syndrome, sensory disorders, and visual impairment.
Here are 6 ways our swim lessons can help kids with ADHD.
1. Fewer distractions
Our private swim lessons give swimmers individual, focused attention. They won’t need to wait their turn and they’ll have the entire lesson to practice their swimming skills. Other sports can sometimes have many distractions and outside stimuli, which can be difficult for kids with ADHD, but swim lessons allow them to channel all their energy into the task at hand.
2. Clear directions
Your swimmer will have their instructor’s complete attention throughout the entire lesson. The instructor is able to give them clear directions and allow your child to carry out the tasks.
3. They can be competitive, with themselves
Swim lessons allow kids to set goals and then work toward achieving them. If your swimmer is competitive, they can work to improve their stroke time, or refine their diving technique. Our level progression is on the pool deck, so kids can see the level they are currently at and become motivated to advance to the next level by working hard.
4. They can release energy
Twenty minutes of swim lessons may not seem like a long time, but when one swimmer is working on various skills for the entire length of the lesson, it takes a good amount of endurance and energy. Swimmers are able to release energy throughout the lesson in a safe, healthy environment.
5. Learn water safety skills
We think that learning water safety skills is important at any age, but especially for children under 14. Every day, about 10 people die from unintentional drowning. Of those 10, two are children aged 14 or younger, according to the CDC. Our private lessons teach kids important safety skills and allow kids to pick up skills quicker than in traditional group classes.
6. Social Interaction
Being in swim lessons can help teach a child with ADHD to communicate with their instructor and receive and carry out instructions.
Swim lessons offer so many benefits for children of all abilities and skills. We will work with your swimmer and help them push past any challenges to be successful in learning to swim, learning water safety, developing confidence, increasing fitness, and having fun!