Amongst one of the hardest things any parent may have to do is watch their child struggle.
Scuba diving can be a thrilling and rewarding experience for anyone, including those with autism. In fact, scuba diving has been shown to have numerous benefits for individuals on the spectrum, such as improving social skills, reducing anxiety, and enhancing sensory integration
Here is an extract of a journey and reflection of a mother and her son and the benefits of SCUBA Diving……. At the age of five, our son was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. When he turned nine, at an attempt to have a “typical “birthday party, we invited 10 kids to come scuba diving. It was something most kids had not experienced at this young age, and having an extreme birthday party was the only way kids would come to our son’s birthday as he had no friends. Our son quickly found comfort in the water.
“It’s wonderful Mum, it’s like someone is hugging me, but not touching me,” explained our son, who seldom let us hug him, kiss him or hold his hand. And, he now had friends that shared his world.
After that birthday party, our son knew that he wanted to grow up and ‘live’ underwater. By the time he was 14 he was a certified diver. The pressure of the water felt good to him and the elimination of noises and stimulations vanished for the time he was underwater.
I think it’s fair to say that this is a very positive reflection from a mother whose son took to scuba like a duck to water so to speak! Teaching the skills involved in Scuba Diving could help a youngster to move into a profession that involves working underwater (such as a Sealife Centre or similar), and could propel them further in life with others. There are lots of environmental opportunities out there too!
More than anything though, SCUBA diving is FUN when taught by the right people. It can open up a world of many experiences for both child and adult alike.
Here at SCUBACO we have a family team of highly qualified professionals. The Chief Instructors have been awarded ‘Elite Professional Status’ by the awarding body, PADI. They also herald from an education teaching background. We are nurturing, caring and passionate about Scuba Diving and all that this sport brings. The shop, on Talbot Road in Blackpool has been established for over 21 years.
POINTS TO CONSIDER:
Every autistic person is unique and must be evaluated independently. There will never be an all-inclusive recommendation.
First, all decisions must be made by you, properly trained dive instructors, and the physicians who are most closely involved in behavioral and physical care. For some individuals, scuba diving comes naturally, and they handle it well with the proper accommodations and qualified instructors. For others, the risks are too high, and diving should not be considered. Each case depends on the person’s level of function and comorbidities.
SCUBA DIVERS CAN LEARN TO QUALIFY FROM THE AGE OF TEN YEARS OLD
POP ON IN FOR A CHAT TO SEE HOW WE CAN KICK START THE UNDERWATER ADVENTURE
Scubaco Ltd. 448 Talbot Road. Blackpool FY3 7BE. Telephone 01253 300306
