An opportunity for Newaygo County residents with autism to develop water safety through swimming instruction
Join us Saturday, March 16, 10:00 a.m to noon Fremont Community Rec Center for FREE OPEN SWIM/ASSESSMENT DAY The swim time on March 16 will allow our instructor to evaluate the needs of our ASD community and their families in the area of water safety. After the assessment day, the level of instruction will be determined for each individual and offer an opportunity for lessons beginning in June. Our focus for this summer program will be on water safety skills and improving swimming confidence. Roughly half of children on the autism spectrum attempt to elope from a safe environment. The leading cause of death for children with ASD is drowning. Accidental drowning accounts for 91% of deaths reported in children with ASD who are 14 years old and younger. Dana Hansen Simon will be the swim instructor. She has been teaching swim lessons for 23 years, has a master’s degree in adapted physical education, has taught physical education for numerous years, and is currently a special education teacher. She is a certified Alaska Marine Safety Education Association instructor (AMSEA), which focused on survival in both land and water. While teaching in Alaska, she coordinated and implemented Red Cross' water safety swim program and AMSEA's survival program. Her program was designed for all elementary children, grades K-5 (200 students). Dana is also an Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) instructor and an aquatic behavior expert. We are very fortunate to have her experience and expertise. MORE... The Newaygo County Autism Community is very excited to announce the return of our Safe Swim Academy this summer. This is open to all people with ASD who reside or go to school in Newaygo County. The first step in getting signed up for the swimming lessons is to attend the assessment day on March 16 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Fremont Rec Center. This is basically an open swim time where our instructor will be in the pool with all participants, accessing their needs and skill level. You do not have to stay the entire time, but a parent must accompany the child for the duration of the time the child is there. After this assessment our instructor will set up a schedule for lessons which will begin in June, after the school year is finished. Please let us know if you plan to attend the assessment day on March 16. You can find us on Facebook at Newaygo County Autism Community. This opportunity is made possible through a grant from the Fremont Area Community Foundation.
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