Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Dr. Julie Grabanski

Abstract

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder that impacts thousands of people and their families. Those with an ASD diagnosis demonstrate difficulty with safety awareness are at an increased risk to die due to drowning. Those with autism are often drawn to water for a multitude of reasons especially after an elopement attempt. There has been an increased awareness and development in aquatic therapy to reduce the drowning risks for those with ASD. Occupational therapists have begun to develop interventions that targets basic swimming and water safety. During these interventions, occupational therapists use their skills of activity analysis, sensory modifications, and grading and adapting interventions to provided just right challenges in and around the pool to reduce the drowning risk of those with ASD. After conduction of a needs assessment onsite and a literature review there was a need for increased education for swimmers with ASD, swim instructors, and caregivers.

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project is to gain experience and understanding of occupational therapy’s role in aquatic therapy to increase water competency and reduce drowning risk in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In addition to increased knowledge, materials using a variety of medians were created to increase understanding of the importance of swimming for children with an ASD diagnosis and provide educational resources to swimming instructors and children on the autism spectrum.

Methods: A needs assessment via the literature and an initial literature review was completed prior to the doctoral experience in aquatic therapy. The needs assessment was completed in context of the doctoral experience. During the experience, multiple trainings were completed to increase competency when providing aquatic lessons. Three products were made in collaboration with other occupational therapy students and occupational therapists. The three main target audiences were children with ASD, swimming instructors, and caregivers of those with autism.

Results & Outcome: During this experience, three main products were created; Swimming with Confidence: A Guide for Swimmers, Swimming with Confidence: A Guide for Swim Instructors, and Swimming with Confidence: A Guide for Caregivers. These three guides target swimmers, swim instructors, and caregivers. These products can be used together, or could be separate tools for each intended audience. The purpose of these products is to provide education materials to a variety of people with the overall goal of educating people about the increased risk of drowning for those with ASD, working to reducing drowning rates, and overall increasing water safety.

Download

Share

COinS