FEATURED ARTICLE
Autism Swim Prepared by Cathryn Grant
Cathryn is a registered Occupational Therapist and ACAA Accredited Access Consultant. She has been working as a Access Consultant since 2007. Prior to this she worked with people with a diverse range of disabilities in community and rehabilitation settings. Cathryn has recently completed a Masters in Public Health, specialising in health and the built environment. This involved researching and writing a thesis on universal design and consultation with users.
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utism Swim is an international social enterprise specializing in wandering and drowning prevention for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other abilities. Statistics on the Autism Swim website state that children with ASD are 160 times more likely to drown than a child without.
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The CEO and founder, Erika Gleeson, a Senior Behavioural Specialist and Skill Development Specialist in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Swim offer certification packages (training, resources and support) for Swimming Instructors, Occupational Therapists, Exercise physiologists and other aquatic professionals, through which you can become Autism Swim approved. The training and other certification inclusions aim to help swimming instructors to understand and develop skills to be better equipped to teach children with ASD and other abilities. There is also a range of resources available for purchase for parents on all things Wandering and Drowning Prevention. Parents can also access Autism Swim staff, including Aquatic Occupational Therapists, for advice and support. Additionally, they run a range of programs including surf awareness and modified nippers.
THE MAGAZINE FOR THE ASSOCIATION OF CONSULTANTS IN ACCESS AUSTRALIA
