How to teach a very anxious child to swim?

[marne2]

Hi, not sure of I have really posted in the correct place.

Dd1 has Aspergers, she's a very anxious child and teaching her new skills (other than academic ones ) is such hard work. Every summer she swims at school but the teachers don't spend any time actually teaching her to swim, she goes in the pool, a teacher asks her to do something, she says 'no' and then they end up letting her do what she likes ( which is usually swimming with 3 floats ). Now she's getting older I think it's getting more important that she learns to swim. She's 10 years old and the only one in her year group that can't swim ( most of her class have private lessons and were swimming at a early age ). I don't want to force her too much as I know it will put her off even more, we will be taking her to the pool a couple times a week during the summer holidays just to gain confidence in the water. I have tried taking her to a quiet pool and teaching her but as soon as I try and help her or tell her to try something new she gets very upset.

I was lucky as a child because I had a pool in my garden and taught myself to swim, I am considering doing the same for her but sadly we don't have a flat garden to put a pool on.

Can anyone recommend what to do?

[goshhhhhh]

One to one swimming lessons? I always found mine are. Better at doing this kind of thing with someone else. It brings out their get on & do it. With me I got their anxiety - in fact it made it worse as I think it allowed them to focus on that. Having someone new there made them focus on them. Could you find a teacher with experience of working with children with aspergers?

[marne2]

I think your right Goshhhh, I have said to her 'if she doesn't progress over the summer I will be booking her in for some lessons', she just doesn't seem to be getting anywhere, won't try swimming with one float ( has to use 2 or 3 ), she hates water in her face, I got her some prescription goggles so she doesn't get water in her eyes but she still complains. I don't want her going up to high school in a years time not knowing how to swim. I feel it's very important to be able to swim, we live not far from the coast and are burro under by rivers where several children have lost their lives.

[goshhhhhh]

My ds hated swimming & now loves it. First two swimming lessons were hellish at the beginning. I got my dh to take him.
I agree swimming is pretty essential. We live opposite a river & I think it teaches you more awareness as well