Swim classes designed for autistic youth
The Autism News | English
Sandy Huffaker for The New York Times
DELAND — Swimming at the YMCA is good for all children, but executives at local Easter Seals and YMCA organizations believe it’s especially good for youngsters with autism.
On Monday, sessions will open to beginning swimmers who need specialized attention.
Lynn Sinnott, president of Easter Seals Volusia and Flagler Counties, says instructors at the DeLand and Port Orange Family YMCAs are now equipped with the adaptive tools and skills to teach youngsters with autism who are 3 to 12 years old.
Parents had asked Easter Seals for swimming opportunities for their children and, since Sinnott knew her organization could not fulfill the requests alone, she approached Teresa Rogers, president and CEO of Volusia Flagler Family YMCA.
To register for the sessions, go to the DeLand YMCA, 761 E. International Speedway Blvd., or the Port Orange YMCA, 4701 City Center Parkway, or visit the YMCA online at vfymca.org for more information. Or for details, call the DeLand Y at 386-736-6000 or the Port Orange branch at 386-760-9622.
Today, as many as one in every 150 children is diagnosed with autism, making autism more prevalent than Down Syndrome, childhood diabetes and childhood cancer combined.
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