Water can be both a source of joy and a significant hazard, especially for children with autism. While many kids are naturally drawn to water, children on the autism spectrum face heightened risks due to factors like wandering (also known as elopement), sensory-seeking behaviors, and challenges with communication. Understanding these risks and taking proactive steps can be lifesaving. Drowning is a leading cause of death for children with autism. According to the National Autism Association , children with autism are 160 times more likely to die from drowning than their neurotypical peers. This staggering statistic underscores the critical need for heightened water safety awareness and measures. Wandering is a significant concern. The Autism Society reports that 49% of children with autism attempt to elope after age 4, with 74% of these incidents occurring from the child's home or someone else's home. Given that children with autism may be drawn to water, these wandering incidents can quickly become dangerous. Why Water Is So Appealing and Risky for Children with Autism Many children with autism are drawn to water due to its sensory qualities like the way it feels, sounds, and moves. However, this attraction can be perilous. Children may not recognize the dangers associated with water bodies like pools, lakes, or even bathtubs. The National Autism Association notes that children with autism may go straight to water regardless of its temperature or type, including ponds, lakes, fountains, rivers, canals, and even wastewater. How Swim Lessons Can Save Lives Early and consistent swim lessons are a vital tool in preventing drowning. The National Autism Association emphasizes the importance of enrolling children in swimming lessons as early as possible, noting that for children with autism, additional considerations include wandering prevention. At Swim Lessons with Mary, we specialize in private, adaptive swim lessons tailored to each child's individual needs. Our instructors are trained to work with children on the autism spectrum, and create a safe, supportive environment where every child can learn at their own pace and build lifelong water safety skills. Our instructors focus on: Building trust between the instructor and the child Using visual aids and clear, consistent communication Creating a structured routine to provide predictability Celebrating small milestones to build confidence Our mission at Swim Lessons with Mary is to instill safety, build confidence, and make learning to swim a positive experience for every swimmer. Water Safety Tips for All Families Here are some actionable steps to enhance water safety for children: Install Protective Barriers : Ensure pools and hot tubs are fenced with self-latching gates that lock. Use pool and hot tub covers when not in use. Use Alarms and Visual Aids : Install alarms on doors, windows, and pool gates. Use visual aids like stop signs to reinforce boundaries. Supervise Constantly : Always have a designated adult supervising children near water. Distractions can be deadly. The National Autism Association advises that more eyes do not equal more protection; assign one responsible person to watch your child at all times. Educate Through Social Stories : Use social stories and visual schedules to teach children about water safety and the importance of staying with a trusted adult. Practice Water Safety Skills : Regularly review water safety rules and practice safe behaviors in and around water. We're Here to Help Water safety is a critical concern for families of children with autism. By understanding the risks and taking proactive steps, like enrolling in specialized swim lessons, you can make a significant difference in your child's safety and well-being. If you're interested in learning more about our adaptive swim lessons or have questions about water safety, please contact us or book a lesson today.

We’re thrilled about our brand-new partnership between Swim Lessons with Mary and the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Greenville, SC ! This collaboration brings together our signature one-on-one swim instruction and the Kroc Center’s top-tier facilities, offering families an outstanding place to learn, grow, and thrive in the water. 🤝 A Shared Mission: Excellence, Access, and Community At Swim Lessons with Mary , we believe swimming is a life skill every child and adult should feel confident in. Our private, personalized swim lessons are designed for all skill levels, ensuring focused attention, faster progress, and a safe, supportive environment. The Kroc Center shares this mission of empowerment. Founded on the values of The Salvation Army, the Kroc Center is a vibrant hub for recreation, education, and community connection—open to people of all backgrounds. 🌟 The Vision Behind Kroc Centers The Kroc Centers began with one woman’s extraordinary vision. Joan Kroc , philanthropist and wife of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc, once toured a San Diego neighborhood and saw a community in need of a safe, welcoming space—a place where children could thrive through access to sports, arts, and mentorship. She dreamed of a world-class facility filled with opportunity and hope, calling it a "beacon of light" for the community. She entrusted $90 million to The Salvation Army to build the first Kroc Center in San Diego. So inspired by what that single center achieved, she left an additional $1.5 billion in her will—ensuring that similar centers could be built in underserved communities across the country. Today, 26 Kroc Centers stand across the U.S., each one a living legacy of Joan Kroc’s dream to uplift and empower. 🏊‍♀️ Why the Kroc Center? Located in downtown Greenville, the Kroc Center offers a wide range of modern, thoughtfully designed amenities that make it the perfect home for our swim program. Their facilities include: 25 meter x 25 yard Short Course Competition Pool (80–82°F) Recreation Pool with Water Features and Water Slide (80–82°F) Multipurpose Gymnasium for basketball, indoor soccer, volleyball, and more Fitness Center with 50+ cardio machines, weight room, and indoor track Group Fitness and Cycling Studios 400-Seat Performing Arts Theater Four Community Rooms for meetings, classes, and events Child Watch for 2 hours for members from 8-12 Mon-Thurs and 3-7p Thurs. 11-15 year olds can do orientation with their parents to be able to use the fitness center. 2 hour guest passes so you can enjoy the Kroc Center before committing to a membership! These outstanding resources not only support physical wellness but foster creativity, connection, and community—everything Joan Kroc envisioned. Check out more member benefits here! 💧 What This Means for You Thanks to this partnership, Swim Lessons with Mary is now offering our private 1-on-1 swim lessons at the Kroc Center's exceptional aquatic facility. Whether you're completely new to swimming or looking to fine-tune your technique, our lessons are: Personalized to your swimmer's individual needs and goals Flexible with scheduling to fit your lifestyle Conducted in a high-quality, well-maintained aquatic environment 📍 Join Us at the Kroc Center We’re proud to bring our expert instruction to a space that values inclusion, wellness, and community. Come experience it for yourself! 📌 Visit the Kroc Center at 424 Westfield Street, Greenville, SC 29601 📞 Call (864) 527–5948 📧 For more information about membership, click here! For swim lesson inquiries, reach out directly to Swim Lessons with Mary through our website or social media. Let’s make a splash—together. See you at the pool!

When it comes to water safety, visibility is everything. Whether you're at the beach, a lake, or the local pool, brightly colored swimwear can make a life-saving difference. High-visibility swimwear isn’t just a fashion choice—it’s a smart, simple, and effective way to help keep kids safer in and around the water. Reduces the Risk of Accidents and Drownings While swimming itself is a fun and healthy activity, accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. A child might slip, get disoriented, or find themselves in a dangerous situation in the water. High-visibility swimwear reduces the time it takes to notice if something is wrong, lowering the risk of accidents and drownings. Whether your child is in a pool or an open water setting, having a brightly colored swimsuit can be a lifesaver in those crucial moments. Enhances Visibility in Open Water In natural water bodies like lakes, rivers, or oceans, conditions can change quickly. Waves, currents, or the vast expanse of water can make it hard to keep track of children, even if they’re close by. High-visibility swimwear is especially important in these environments. Bright colors stand out against the water, allowing adults, lifeguards, or other beachgoers to spot children from a distance. This extra visibility provides crucial time to intervene if something goes wrong, whether it’s a child drifting off course or encountering difficulties while swimming. Supports Lifeguards & Parents Lifeguards have the responsibility of monitoring swimmers to ensure their safety, especially in crowded environments. High-visibility swimwear makes it easier for lifeguards to spot children from their towers or while patrolling the area. In case of an emergency or if a child is struggling, the ability to quickly spot a child in distress is critical. High-visibility swimwear helps ensure that lifeguards are aware of your child's location, allowing for quicker response times. Likewise, for parents who are multitasking—applying sunscreen, organizing snacks, chatting with others—this swimwear provides some extra peace of mind by making it much simpler to spot your child and ensure they’re safe and accounted for. A Simple and Effective Safety Measure The beauty of high-visibility swimwear is that it’s a simple and cost-effective measure that can drastically improve safety. Brightly colored swimwear is easy to wear and provides immediate results in terms of visibility. It’s an affordable, low-effort safety measure that delivers real results—an easy win for any parent or caregiver. Combines Safety with Fun The best part? Bright doesn’t have to be boring. These swimsuits often feature vibrant colors, bold prints, and favorite characters that kids love. When children feel good in their swimwear, they’re more likely to enjoy their time in the water, and when they’re confident, they swim and play with greater ease. Conclusion: Prioritize Safety Without Sacrificing Fun High-visibility swimwear is a simple yet powerful tool that helps children stay visible and safer in and around the water. It can improve response times in emergencies, support lifeguards and parents in supervision, and reduce the risk of accidents—all while letting kids express their style and have fun. But visibility alone isn’t enough. It’s important to remember that high-visibility swimwear should be used as one part of a broader water safety strategy. Constant supervision, swimming lessons, use of life jackets when appropriate, and knowing the swimming environment are all essential safety measures that should never be overlooked. Think of high-vis swimwear as an added layer of protection—not a replacement for attentive parenting, trained lifeguards, or proper safety equipment. You can learn more about the five layers of protection here . So before your next trip to the pool, lake, or beach, gear up with bright swimwear and a full safety plan. Together, these precautions help ensure a fun, confident, and—most importantly— safe experience for every child in the water.

At Swim Lessons with Mary, we’re proud to announce our new partnership with the Hope Floats Foundation , an incredible organization dedicated to empowering underserved communities through the life-changing skill of swimming. This collaboration is more than just a partnership—it’s a mission to make a lasting impact on individuals and families, offering them the opportunity to thrive both in and out of the water. What is the Hope Floats Foundation? The Hope Floats Foundation is a non-profit organization that collaborates with high-quality swim schools to offer scholarships for swimming lessons to children from low-income families. The organization funds its efforts through partnerships with individuals, businesses, and foundations that are committed to making a positive impact in their communities. These scholarships and tuition assistance help ensure that children who may not have the financial means can access swim lessons.. Through their initiatives, they focus on ensuring that people of all ages can experience the life-saving and confidence-boosting benefits of learning how to swim. Their goal is to reduce the number of drownings and increase water safety awareness, particularly in communities where these opportunities are limited. Why Does This Partnership Matter? At Swim Lessons with Mary, we’re more than just about teaching people to swim. We believe in the power of swimming to transform lives—building confidence, promoting a life long sport and most importantly, saving lives. Drowning is the leading cause of death in children 4 and under, and we are passionate that water safety is for all and are expanding our reach and impact. Swim Lessons with Mary is the only swim school in the Upstate partnering with the Hope Floats Foundation to offer scholarships to the community. One of the primary benefits of our partnership is that we’re helping make swimming lessons accessible to children and adults in underserved communities. Many families in these areas don’t have the resources to access swim lessons, which means that many people grow up without the necessary skills to be safe in and around water. This partnership enables us to offer scholarships to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity. Water safety is often an overlooked skill, yet it’s essential in preventing drownings. The Hope Floats Foundation shares our belief that everyone should have access to water safety education, regardless of their background or financial status. What’s Next for Our Partnership? We are incredibly excited about the future of this partnership. In the coming months, we will be hosting fundraising efforts and additional opportunities to get involved. Our goal is to provide as many swim lesson scholarships as possible and continue to spread the message of water safety and empowerment to those in need. Together with the Hope Floats Foundation, we’re not just teaching people how to swim—we’re giving them the chance to make waves in their own lives. How Do I Get Involved? If you’re inspired by our mission and want to support the cause, there are plenty of ways to get involved! Whether you’re interested in donating or simply spreading the word, every bit of support helps us bring these important opportunities to those in need. Stay tuned for more updates and information about how we’re working together to make our community a safer and more empowering place—one stroke at a time. We hope this partnership inspires others to join us in making a difference, because together, we can create a future where everyone has the skills, confidence, and opportunity to thrive in the water.

What is a Happy Nappy Duo? The Happy Nappy Duo is Splash About’s new and improved reusable swim diaper. It takes all the amazing benefits of their original Happy Nappy such as its waterproof neoprene outer layer and snug fitting legs and waistband and adds an innovative silver lining. The lining gives the diaper antibacterial properties to knock out germs from any accidents your child may have while swimming. This cutting-edge, silver lining is why we at Swim Lessons with Mary require all non-potty-trained swimmers to wear a Happy Nappy Duo during their swim lessons to help keep the pool clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone! Why the Silver Lining? Silver has been used for centuries to help kill bacteria. Dr Pam Cameron completed a scientific study on behalf of Splash About and found that, “The Silver lining fabrics have been tested and redeveloped over a 2-year period. The final product is highly antibacterial in a pool water solution and Imaging at CytoViva shows Cryptosporidium Oocysts cell walls as flattened and shriveled, when interacting with the silver from the fabric.” What does this all mean? You can rest assured that you are helping to protect your child and other swimmers from nasty germs like E-Coli, Gastroenteritis, and Covid 19 when putting a Happy Nappy Duo on your baby. What’s even better? Silver has also been found to soothe skin conditions, so if your child struggles with diaper rash, eczema, or similar skin conditions, the Happy Nappy Duo will help instead of further irritating them! Where to Get a Happy Nappy Duo? You can find Happy Nappy Duos for purchase in several different places. We highly encourage all of our clients to purchase directly from the Splash About website in advance of your first lesson. Their website has a wonderful variety of awesome patterns and sizes. In a pinch and forgot to bring one for your lesson? No worries! We carry a few of each size on the pool deck just in case!

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Gift Ideas Perfect for Your Swimmers this Holiday Season With December right around the corner, now is the perfect time to grab some last-minute holiday gifts. Do you have a young swimmer in your family? Look no further than this ultimate gift guide to help you find the perfect present.

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