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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02747459

Sensory Supported Swimming for Children With ASD

The purpose of Sensory Supported Swimming is to provide a sustainable, low cost recreational swim program for children with ASD. A secondary purpose is to train general recreation providers and swim instructors to meet the unique needs of children. Specific aims include both program development and research aims as described below.

Specific Aims:

1. Provide more opportunities for families of children with ASD to access a recreational swim program at low cost. (program development) 2. Increase the capacity of swim instructors and general recreation providers working with children with ASD. (Research) 3. Increase physical activity for children with ASD in a way that is a good match for their individual sensory needs. (Research) 4. Increase safety among children with ASD in and around the water so they and their families can swim safely. (Research) 5. Transition swimmers with ASD from a learn-to-swim program to an inclusive swim team. (Program Development) Hypotheses

1. The Sensory Supported Swim Program will increase physical activity of children with ASD. 2. The Sensory Supported Swim Program will increase safety of children with ASD in and around the water. 3. The Sensory Supported Swim Program will increase the capacity of general recreation providers and swim instructors to serve children with ASD.

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Key information

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorders Autism Spectrum Disorder Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Mental Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Age range

4 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Kansas Medical Center

Kansas City, Kansas, 66160, United States

About this study

To decrease risk of drowning, increase opportunities to engage in a lifelong sport, and increase the capacity of general recreation providers, investigators developed a recreational swim program for children with ASD. The purpose of this program is to provide swimming and water safety instruction for children with ASD. A secondary purpose is to train general recreation providers and swim instructors to meet the unique needs of children. Research of this program includes investigating the effects of swimming on health outcomes (i.e., fitness, BMI) of children with ASD. SSS lessons are provided in eight week sessions six times per year. Lessons are individualized according to the child's sensory preferences (as measured by the Sensory Profile). Instructors use evidence-based teaching methods (i.e., visual supports, demonstration, peer and video modelling, sensory modifications) to teach swimming and water safety skills. Children may enroll for as many sessions as desired. Research includes retrospective review of program records.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Autism diagnosis (any autism spectrum diagnosis)
  • Order of response

Exclusion criteria

  • Children with sensory impairments (i.e., blindness, deafness)
  • Based on the discretion of the program directors, participants that display aggressive or harmful behaviors may be excluded for safety purposes

Treatment and study plan

Sensory Supported Swimming

Behavioral

A swimming and water safety program for children with autism spectrum disorders. Individualized instruction utilizing evidence-based teaching methods and sensory modifications.

Other names: Sensory Enhanced Aquatics

Primary outcomes

  1. Skill Acquisition Form

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    This outcome measure was created for the study to measure changes in swimming and water safety skills. The skill acquisition form is supplemented with weekly progress notes.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Instructor Survey

    Time frame: 16 weeks

    Instructors are surveyed at least annually to determine if Sensory Supported Swimming is increasing their competence to serve children with autism spectrum disorders

  2. Parent Survey

    Time frame: 16 weeks

    Parents of program participants are surveyed at least annually to determine if Sensory Supported Swimming is increasing children's physical activity and safety around water

  3. Program Records

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    demographics forms, enrollment & attendance records

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Kansas Medical Center

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Sensory Supported Swimming-Swimming and Water Safety for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Acronym: SSS

Important dates

Study start
2012
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Apr 21, 2016
Registry last updated
Jun 17, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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