Hello,
I wanted to send a quick note to you about the Baby Otter Swim School. My almost six year old autistic child is a graduate of the program. We had our first experience back in 2004. Marlene, Mindy and Stacy could not have been more understanding and patient with Morgan. At the time, Morgan was not able to swim independently and had extremely limited language. She was as most children with autism, extremely comfortable in the water. Baby Otter’s Turn Kick Reach (TKR) is a wonderful tool that all children regardless if they have a disability should learn. Living in south Florida, there are way too many drowning in pools and canals. If these children had been taught this technique there would be less of an increase in drownings per year.
Morgan after her first week of the program was not only able to get herself to the edge of the pool, but held on for over 20 seconds. Till this day, she is able to turn around underwater, swim to the edge and hold on. Now she can tread water for up to 3 minutes, hold her breath under water, float on her back and get herself to any edge of the pool regardless of how deep the water is. I owe all of this to Baby Otter.
Just think, for only 1/2 hour five consecutive days in a row, anyone can learn this technique regardless of their level of expertise or impairment due to a disability.
