Adapted Aquatics

What is Adapted Aquatics?

In January 2008, the Achievement Centers for Children introduced Adapted Aquatics at its Westlake facility. Adapted Aquatics is a program designed for children with neurological, developmental, and cognitive challenges that teaches them independent swimming and water safety. Children with disabilities can be successfully integrated into traditional swim programs if they are introduced to the water gradually in a quiet setting that enables them to focus.

While enrolled in the Adapted Aquatics program, students learn American Red Cross Aquatics Level I, II and III swim skills. However, the ultimate goal is for these children to be able to one day join traditional swimming classes in their own communities. Other goals and benefits of the Adapted Aquatics program include:

• Providing a sense of freedom to children who require physical assistance through water therapy, while encouraging them to push past their physical limitations
• Allowing children to move their bodies in ways that may be difficult for them on land
• Building strength, increasing cardiovascular endurance and improving motor planning skills
• Helping children with sensory impairments learn how to exert more control over their body's movements
• Providing opportunities for continued social interaction with family, friends and other children

Adapted Aquatics at the Achievement Centers for Children

Our Adapted Aquatics program is led by Karyn Kaschalk. Karyn has been an instructor of Adapted Aquatics for more than 17 years.

Karyn and a core team of qualified, experienced instructors are committed to creating an aquatics program that teaches children with neurological, developmental and cognitive challenges how to swim.

Each child receives individualized, progressive strategies that make learning achievable, sensory integrative and fun.

Adapted Aquatics is currently available five days a week at the Achievement Centers' Westlake facility and consists of 10 individual or small-group weekly swimming lessons per year.

For more information about Adapted Aquatics, please call 440-250-2520.

See the Adapted Aquatics video Part 1

See Part 2 of the video here