The staff of the Sullivan ECSE  Autism Program take the students swimming at the Midtown YWCA located at Hiawatha and Lake Street.  There is a lifeguard on duty.  The students and staff are transported to and from the YWCA by a school bus with appropriate car seats or booster seats.

We go swimming on Tuesdays from 12:35-2:00 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9:45-10:00.   We eat lunch or breakfast prior to going to the pool.  Each morning  and afternoon class  go swimming approximately one time per month.  There will be 3-5 staff supervising the 6 children.  This may include the teacher, 2 SEA’s, Brenda (School Social Worker), and either Cathy (Speech Clinician) or Julie (Occupational Therapist).

Our objectives for going swimming include:

1. Swimming at the YWCA will provide a unique sensory opportunity for the students.

2. Swimming at the YWCA will provide the students an opportunity to learn and to demonstrate appropriate community behaviors.

3. Swimming at the YWCA will provide the opportunity to practice functional routines such as dressing.

4. Swimming at the YWCA will provide social opportunities for the students in a sensory environment, such as practicing back and forth exchanges with peers.

We would love to have all the children take advantage of this opportunity! Permission forms need to be signed.

If you have questions, you may talk to your child’s teacher or Brenda Beyer, School Social Worker (668-5029).