| Easter Seals Swimming Program |
| Gene has been in this program since we moved to San Diego in 1998. It is run by Tracy Gordon, who is a wonderful lady, and is staffed by many volunteers who do one-on-one swim training. The cost is minimal (especially considering it is one-on-one) and there has been a waiting list in the past. We have been fortunate to catch almost every quarter. Gene has used every instructor by now, I think, and only had issue with one. Gene started with not even wanting to get in the water and screaming (many of the kids seem to start this way...all the observing parents understand). After a couple of sessions, he got into it. Over the past 5 yrs he has: - learned to be save in the water - learned to swim on his own - developed his own side stroke - put his face in the water (Gene used to hate getting his face wet!) - dive for toys - learned to swim on his back & front - beginning to swim straight in the lane - but most of all, he really ENJOYS it! Most autistic kids really enjoy the water -- it is suspected that it is due to the sensory stimulation -- which makes sense for Gene since he is sensory-deprived. It is now 2003 and Gene is getting ready to graduate from the swim program!! We will go through the Fall, 2003 program and if Gene passed everything on the checklist, he will receive his "diploma!" |