Swim team rejects girl because she has autism.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/...24735430874150

I'm ashamed to be posting this because the swim club is the club I first swam with when I was a kid.

I think it's ridiculous that they would kick the girl out because she's a "safety concern"! She can swim with out an aid... WTF!??!! How is that a concern?

She has some minor communication issues. All it takes is a little more patience and accomodation... I can't beleive that in this day and age, there are organizations that aren't adapting their program for people with special needs.

Those are my feelings, I'm sure other people disagree... discuss.

[LGA]

Originally Posted by Puxlut

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/...24735430874150

I'm ashamed to be posting this because the swim club is the club I first swam with when I was a kid.

I think it's ridiculous that they would kick the girl out because she's a "safety concern"! She can swim with out an aid... WTF!??!! How is that a concern?

She has some minor communication issues. All it takes is a little more patience and accomodation... I can't beleive that in this day and age, there are organizations that aren't adapting their program for people with special needs.

Those are my feelings, I'm sure other people disagree... discuss.

That's just disappointing. I'm an assistant coach for a Down's Syndrome swim team here in Calgary and I know we have no problems with any of the able bodied clubs around town. Our athletes swim in the same meets as them, and I know at least one or two of our swimmers have been offered spots on other squads for extra practice time. Real shame that not everyone is open to working and adapting.

[photon]

I guess I can appreciate both sides of the issue.

Someone on the autism spectrum can be quite disruptive (not intentionally) to a class or environment, especially if the instructors do not have any experience with that sort of thing.. things that work with "typical" kids can have the opposite effect, making things worse.

And when the other parents feel like their kids enjoyment or ability to learn or safety is compromised they WILL speak up (and yell, and be abusive, people suck).

On the other hand it's not at all fair that kids already having social or other difficulties are further marginalized because of that, they're already struggling now they have fewer opportunities because programs won't accept them. Every time I hear the phrase "maintain the integrity of our program" I want to punch someone in the face.

I guess my question is don't they have any resources to help? I know in Calgary there are organizations that would (for example) provide an aide for the swimming activity that is experienced with autism and could be there to supplement the swimming instructor.

[T@T]

One can only hope these instructors are fired and she grows up to be an olympic champion... stupid.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by photon

I guess I can appreciate both sides of the issue.

I can't, she already passed level 3. obviously she can take directions and learn. i don't think were talking "rain man" type problems here.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by T@T

I can't, she already passed level 3. obviously she can take directions and learn. i don't think were talking "rain man" type problems here.

Pretty sure you only need to be buoyent to get passed level 3.

[photon]

Originally Posted by T@T

I can't, she already passed level 3. obviously she can take directions and learn. i don't think were talking "rain man" type problems here.

They don't need to be rain main level problems to be disruptive enough that the whole class becomes useless.

But all it would take is some education for the instructors on how to adapt their communication styles to effectively run their lessons with minimal disturbances.

[afc wimbledon]

I spent several years as a classroom assistant for special needs, its not that big a deal, at the worst you ask the parent to stay and be available to take the kid home if shes having a bad day.

Ignorant coaches that are more concerned with winning stupid ribbons is more likely the problem.

[kipperiggy]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Pretty sure you only need to be buoyent to get passed level 3.

No, that's not true. I taught swimming lessons for a few years and level 3 requires learning front crawl, and front/back glides for a distance of 10 or 15 metres. Trust me, if she was simply buoyant, she would not have passed level 3.

Just a shocking story really.

[photon]

Originally Posted by Puxlut

But all it would take is some education for the instructors on how to adapt their communication styles to effectively run their lessons with minimal disturbances.

Yup, or as I said get an aide in there to help.

[Wookie]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

I spent several years as a classroom assistant for special needs, its not that big a deal, at the worst you ask the parent to stay and be available to take the kid home if shes having a bad day.

Ignorant coaches that are more concerned with winning stupid ribbons is more likely the problem.

No kidding, bunch of selfish jerks. If only Jarome had played with a team of Autistic kids when he started.
Kidding...

I'm with Photon though.

I swim at a pool that has some pretty select swimming groups using the facility. There is a group that is pretty selective. They take the best of the good kids and do extra training. A buddy and I once asked if the lady did other training for adults. Nope, she only works with elite kids. Stupid kids, some of them I'm bigger and faster than (10 year olds) I don't see why I couldn't just swim with them. I'm going to start a facebook group and whine about it.

I can't read the link because I don't use facebook, but it goes a few ways. I've been asked to volunteer to coach hockey teams. I've debated it a few times. The time commitment, the abuse from parents, the rules now because every coach could be a potential child molester. I'd still consider doing it. But if suddenly I had to babysit a few Autistic kids on the ice. I'm sorry, but that would just suck the desire for me to help. Am I a jerk? Maybe... Maybe I could handle one that was exceptionally closer to the non-autistic spectrum.

Eh, what a touchy subject. I'd just quit or not start in the first place. That's the real message, don't help or offer to do anything for anyone, because someone going to whine and complain no matter what you do.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by Wookie

No kidding, bunch of selfish jerks. If only Jarome had played with a team of Autistic kids when he started.
Kidding...

I'm with Photon though.

I swim at a pool that has some pretty select swimming groups using the facility. There is a group that is pretty selective. They take the best of the good kids and do extra training. A buddy and I once asked if the lady did other training for adults. Nope, she only works with elite kids. Stupid kids, some of them I'm bigger and faster than (10 year olds) I don't see why I couldn't just swim with them. I'm going to start a facebook group and whine about it.

I can't read the link because I don't use facebook, but it goes a few ways. I've been asked to volunteer to coach hockey teams. I've debated it a few times. The time commitment, the abuse from parents, the rules now because every coach could be a potential child molester. I'd still consider doing it. But if suddenly I had to babysit a few Autistic kids on the ice. I'm sorry, but that would just suck the desire for me to help. Am I a jerk? Maybe... Maybe I could handle one that was exceptionally closer to the non-autistic spectrum.

Eh, what a touchy subject. I'd just quit or not start in the first place. That's the real message, don't help or offer to do anything for anyone, because someone going to whine and complain no matter what you do.

This post is quite telling that you are very ignorant of mental illness/special needs. It reeks of fear. You would seriously not coach because of a special needs kid? Its so amazing how much this post reeks of fear due to ignorance.

[Redliner]

Originally Posted by Wookie

But if suddenly I had to babysit a few Autistic kids on the ice. I'm sorry, but that would just suck the desire for me to help. Am I a jerk? Maybe... Maybe I could handle one that was exceptionally closer to the non-autistic spectrum.

Autism has a very wide spectrum, and kids on the mild end of it are so close to "normal" that you wouldn't even notice if not for certain stims or tendencies. Others are nearly uncontrollable. My wife has worked in behavioural modification therapy and speech instruction with autistic children for over twelve years, and the needs of each of these children are truly unique. When incorporating special needs kids into mainstream programs, each case really should be looked at on an individual basis. Sadly, the way most programs are funded these days, personalized service like that is a pipe dream.

I do think that it's unfair to force individuals who are not trained to work with special needs children to do so. Situations like that can be very uncomfortable and frustrating for the instructor, and often are less than ideal for the child as well as they may not respond well to certain teaching methods or class structure. It's not a reflection on the instructor at all, but autistic children often struggle with mainstream programming and can be very disruptive or unnerving for instructors or other students/class participants. I consider myself to be a pretty patient person but there is no way I could do what my wife does with these kids.

To Photon's point, it would be ideal to have aides available for these children, but again cost becomes a hurdle. Many families with special needs do receive money from the provincial government to help with this, but the amount depends largely on the severity of the child's condition. Most aide programs are focused on education, and the kids who get enough money to have full time aides or even enough hours to get someone to work with them outside of school are severe enough that they probably wouldn't do well in a class like this anyway.

[Wookie]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

This post is quite telling that you are very ignorant of mental illness/special needs. It reeks of fear. You would seriously not coach because of a special needs kid? Its so amazing how much this post reeks of fear due to ignorance.

Actually I wouldn't coach because I don't think it's enjoyable with all the crap parents put people through these days. I must be ignorant of parents. Right?

I've volunteered in mental illness programs, I've spent my time doing testing to be a control in mental illness programs, to help out. I've been around this stuff my entire life. I worked in a psychosis program for 4 years.

I have a step-sister that's classified as "autistic." She's perfectly normal as far as I can tell. I'm sooo afraid of her.

What I'm saying is I can empathize with not wanting to have to take on that added responsibility.

Toss your accusations elsewhere.

[Wookie]

Originally Posted by Redliner

Autism has a very wide spectrum, and kids on the mild end of it are so close to "normal" that you wouldn't even notice if not for certain stims or tendencies. Others are nearly uncontrollable. My wife has worked in behavioural modification therapy and speech instruction with autistic children for over twelve years, and the needs of each of these children are truly unique. When incorporating special needs kids into mainstream programs, each case really should be looked at on an individual basis. Sadly, the way most programs are funded these days, personalized service like that is a pipe dream.

I do think that it's unfair to force individuals who are not trained to work with special needs children to do so. Situations like that can be very uncomfortable and frustrating for the instructor, and often are less than ideal for the child as well as they may not respond well to certain teaching methods or class structure. It's not a reflection on the instructor at all, but autistic children often struggle with mainstream programming and can be very disruptive or unnerving for instructors or other students/class participants. I consider myself to be a pretty patient person but there is no way I could do what my wife does with these kids.

To Photon's point, it would be ideal to have aides available for these children, but again cost becomes a hurdle. Many families with special needs do receive money from the provincial government to help with this, but the amount depends largely on the severity of the child's condition. Most aide programs are focused on education, and the kids who get enough money to have full time aides or even enough hours to get someone to work with them outside of school are severe enough that they probably wouldn't do well in a class like this anyway.

Agreed. Good post.

[Wookie]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

This post is quite telling that you are very ignorant of mental illness/special needs. It reeks of fear. You would seriously not coach because of a special needs kid? Its so amazing how much this post reeks of fear due to ignorance.

Eh, what a touchy subject. I'd just quit or not start in the first place. That's the real message, don't help or offer to do anything for anyone, because someone going to whine and complain no matter what you do.

And the last comment was in jest/sarcasit. Maybe that's what got you riled up?

[JustAnotherGuy]

I would like to have more information about this topic before I form my opinion. Some people here have already formed their opinions about how evil the swim club is. Which is rather ironic because they are preaching tolerance and understanding for their side.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by Wookie

Actually I wouldn't coach because I don't think it's enjoyable with all the crap parents put people through these days. I must be ignorant of parents. Right?

I've volunteered in mental illness programs, I've spent my time doing testing to be a control in mental illness programs, to help out. I've been around this stuff my entire life. I worked in a psychosis program for 4 years.

I have a step-sister that's classified as "autistic." She's perfectly normal as far as I can tell. I'm sooo afraid of her.

What I'm saying is I can empathize with not wanting to have to take on that added responsibility.

Toss your accusations elsewhere.

Good retort. Accusations withdrawn. I'm quitting smoking.