Wexner Medical Center develops swim program to protect children on the autism spectrum

JACKSONVILLE, Fla — The number one leading cause of death for children on the autism spectrum is accidental drowning. This startling fact led researchers at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center to develop an adaptive swim program specifically designed to teach the essential skills of swimming to young swimmers on the autism spectrum.

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The classes were shown to not only improve swim skills and safety, but build competencies that goes beyond the water.

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With the success of the pilot program, Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is expanding its research and the adaptive swim program, with the goal of implementing similar programs to help millions of autistic children safely experience the joys of swimming.

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