Our adaptive aquatics program is offered to children with special healthcare needs, ages 3-15 years old. These classes are designed to provide children with special healthcare needs with a positive experience in the water, introduce& teach fundamental aquatic skills, promote water safety, and provide an opportunity for physical activity and social interaction. Please note that this is not a learn-to-swim program, although fundamental swim instruction is incorporated. Instructors combine traditional Red Cross Learn-to-Swim methods with sensory and recreational strategies to match the needs of each child.
Aquatics groups (typically 5 children) are led by 1 instructor with 1 assistant. Children in groups are assigned 1:1 to volunteers for additional safety supervision & attention. Groups are 45 minutes long, one time per week, for a 7 week session. Sessions are offered four times per year: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Parents are not required to swim with children unless a volunteer/staff members are unavailable to do so.
Description of Classes
Children are placed in the most appropriate level to suit their needs and abilities. Class placement is based on a child’s attention span, ability to follow directions in a group setting, and comfort level in the water.
Parent-Child Splash & Swim
An introductory aquatics program for children with special healthcare needs between 1 and 5 years old, designed to:
- Help child and parent develop comfort in the water
- Promote child and parent bonding
- Help parent become more comfortable swimming with and supporting child
- Provide opportunities for social interaction & fun
An adult over the age of 18, or a parent must accompany the child in the pool.
Blue Group
A group aquatics program designed for:
- Children requiring individual attention to follow directions and/or physical support
- Developing personal comfort level in the water & overcoming sensory challenges
- Building & coordinating swim skills
- Promoting social interactions with peers
Skills will be addressed through sensory, recreational & social activities.
Green Group
A group aquatics program designed for:
- Children who can enter, exit, & move around the pool independently/with modified independence & comfort
- Children with attention span greater than 3-5 minutes
- Building on basic swim skills to refine various strokes
- Building social skills & providing an opportunity to socialize with peers
Skills will be addressed through swimming drills, recreational, & social activities.
Class Placement
Children should be registered for the correct class based on their age, developmental, and swim level.
GUPPIES: ages 3-7 years old
SHARKS: ages 7-10 years old
DOLPHINS: ages 11-15 years old
Classes offered in Mountainside are held at:
Children’s Specialized Hospital
150 New Providence Road
Mountainside, NJ 07092
Classes offered in New Brunswick are held at:
Children’s Specialized Hospital
200 Somerset Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Classes offered in Toms River are held at:
Toms River Fitness and Aquatics Center
213 Route 37
Toms River, NJ 08753
About
Supported Swim
The supported swim program provides children and youth
with disabilities access to a warm water therapy pool and support staff.
Children register weekly to swim, play, and have fun! Siblings without special
needs are able to register as additional swimmers as space permits. For current
schedules and to register online, please
click here.
Class
Placement
9:30am: ages 5-12 years old
10:15am: ages 12-21 years old
Location
Children’s Specialized Hospital
150 New Providence Road
Mountainside, NJ 07092
