My child hates the pool. Is it because of his senses?
Min Jung Kwon
Swimming is the epitome of summer! A space filled with the sounds of water, sunshine, cool air, and laughter. However, for some, the pool or beach may not be a "fun place" but rather a sensory burden.
There's another book I'd like to recommend in relation to this. It's a book that helps children understand that they have a hard time going to the beach due to their senses, so I recommend you read it :)
Sensory Overload: What Makes Swimming Tough
Some children are more sensitive or less sensitive than other children to sensory stimuli (Bogdashina, 2016), and the swimming pool is a place where a variety of sensory stimuli are applied simultaneously:
Hearing: children's loud voices, lifeguards' whistles, echoes in the pool
Visuals: bright lights, sparkling water, rapid movement of people
Olfactory: chlorine disinfectant smell, sunscreen scent
Tactile sensations: wet swimsuit, cold water, slippery floors
These various stimuli can cause sensory overload in children who are sensitive to their senses, and at this time, children may exhibit avoidance behaviors (crying, covering their ears, screaming, running away, laughing excessively suddenly, etc.).
What is a sensory-friendly water park?
Sensory-friendly swim programs, such as "Autism-friendly swim time," are gaining popularity in the United States, with some local pools adjusting lighting, noise, and the number of people in the pool to provide a quieter, more predictable environment for children with sensory sensitivities (Sensory Friendly Solutions, 2022).
Sensory Friendly Swimming Pool from Sensory Friendly Solutions
If you live in a place where sensory-friendly swimming environments aren't yet common, it can be helpful to choose a relatively quiet time of day, such as a weekday morning, to go to the pool, or to purchase sensory-friendly swimming equipment for your child to gradually acclimate their senses.
How can we cope with sensory overload?
The first thing to do is to understand your child's sensory responses and why they are having such a hard time.
Based on a deep understanding of your child, please consider how you can help them adapt to their new environment. Below are some general suggestions for helping children.
1. Gradual Desensitization
Does your child dislike water? Help them explore the water, starting with playing in the bathtub and moving on to the outdoor pool or even outside the pool. Consider how you can break it down into steps until they can even dip their feet in the water, and start gradually.
- At each stage, if your child responds positively, praise him loudly and give him an appropriate reward (for example, you could walk to the pool a little bit and eat his favorite candy together to instill a good memory).
2. Use a Visual Schedule
- Help your child anticipate situations in advance by showing the pool schedule and procedures on picture cards or a schedule.
Reduce fear by illustrating all activities, from changing clothes, showering, swimming, and returning home. You can use visual aids like the one below, or show videos about swimming pools on YouTube and explain the scenarios that might occur.
3. Supporting comfortable adaptation to the senses
It is recommended that you use a variety of swimming equipment to help your child adapt to the sensations comfortably.
For example, it may be helpful to wear a headband that covers the ears, goggles that reduce pressure on the head, and a rash guard that can provide tactile pressure. It may also be helpful to check if there is a quiet rest area in the pool and actively utilize that rest area when your child is having a hard time.
(The product above is called frogglez, and it is a product that was created to make it a little more comfortable for children who have difficulty wearing goggles. I will introduce more diverse product recommendations on Instagram :))
And, since shorter, more frequent visits are much more helpful for your child to become accustomed to the environment than long stays at once, help your child get used to it gradually!
4. Prepare your child's sensory preferences in advance.
Once you understand what sensations your child prefers and dislikes, you'll be better able to know how to support them at any pool or beach.
For example, if you find it difficult to shower outside, you may want to plan to shorten your shower time as much as possible. If you find it extremely difficult to wear goggles, you may want to find a place where you can do without them.
Even if your child is sensitive, they can improve with patience and sufficient repetition. I believe that with sufficient understanding and consistent practice using established procedures and visual aids, they will adapt to swimming. Please be patient and trust that they will!
References
Bogdashina, O. (2016). Sensory Perceptual Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome . Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Sensory Friendly Solutions. (2022). Making a Splash for All: Sensory-Friendly Swimming Lessons . https://www.sensoryfriendly.net/making-a-splash-for-all-sensory-friendly-swimming-lessons/
Autism Speaks. (n.d.). Swim and Water Safety . https://www.autismspeaks.org/swimming-safety