I always loved the pool. The ocean, too. As I grew up, I realized a lot of kids with ASD had the same affinity for water that I did. Something about the water is able to satisfy and soothe all my senses. Visually, there’s peacefulness in the way the sun reflects off clear water. Then there’s the sound, the unique sensory satisfaction of hearing the sound of ocean waves or splashes in the pool. And can’t forget the scents! Of the distinct salty seawater or the chlorine in a pool. I remember walking into pool locker rooms and getting so excited just by the smell of the chlorine lingering in the hallway to the pool.
People with ASD tend to be able to process one sense at a time; it’s difficult to get a coherent picture of the environment when the brain is stuck trying to interpret one sense at a time. But with water, all those senses are connected and satisfied. There is no need to process everything in chunks because at the end of the day, all the senses are tied together by the water.
Not only that, but it’s great exercise! It can improve balance and coordination, which some people with ASD experience. Even mentally, it instills a sense of confidence and an avenue to grow socially. You can join a swim team, or go to the pool or beach casually with friends and family. It’s a shared experience that creates even more ways to bond. And so many toys and games to get creative with in the water! Mental exercise is important too.
That being said, being active in the water is no joke. Kids with ASD should be supervised and taught water safety from the minute they start learning how to swim in a pool or the ocean. There are ways to mitigate the dangers to keep our neurodiverse friends and family safe. With all that in mind, it’s an amazing activity for kids (and adults!) on the spectrum to engage in, both for the mind and body.
~Anonymous Writer
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