FAQS
Answers to your questions
General
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No—we welcome all children!
While we specialize in working with children on the autism spectrum and those with special needs, we teach swimmers of all abilities. Every child benefits from patient, individualized instruction tailored to their learning style -
Call us!
We will schedule an introductory lesson. This gives you a chance to meet our instructors, see our teaching approach in action, and help us understand your child's needs and goals. From there, we'll create a personalized lesson plan that works for your family -
We work with children ages 2 and up. Age eligibility may vary based on your child's comfort level in water, developmental readiness, and individual needs
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Our instructors specialize in working with children who experience water anxiety or hesitate to try new things. We use gentle, play-based activities and positive reinforcement to help your child feel safe and confident in the water—always moving at their pace while gently encouraging growth beyond their comfort zone
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No problem!
We provide swim lessons at any pool you have access to—whether it's a family member's home, community pool, neighborhood amenity, or other location that works for your family. We come to you wherever is most convenient -
Lessons end at the originally scheduled time regardless of student arrival, and the full lesson rate applies. We recommend arriving a few minutes early to maximize your child's instruction time
Special Needs / Autism Swim Lessons
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Our instructors are Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) with extensive experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services. We've worked with children across the autism spectrum and those with various developmental, sensory, physical, and cognitive differences. Our background in behavior support allows us to understand each child's unique challenges and strengths, creating effective learning strategies tailored to their needs.
Disclosure: adaptive swim lessons are not a replacement for behavioral therapy nor does Play Strong provide ABA therapy services -
While our swim lessons are not a form of therapy, we incorporate evidence-based strategies informed by our ABA training. This includes positive reinforcement, task analysis (breaking skills into small steps), visual supports, prompting and fading techniques, and data-driven progress tracking. These behavior-based approaches help children learn water safety skills more effectively while building confidence.
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Absolutely. We specialize in working with children who have sensory processing differences. We use gradual exposure techniques, allow children to explore at their own pace, incorporate sensory-friendly teaching methods, and adapt our approach based on your child's specific sensitivities—whether it's water temperature, sounds, textures, or transitions. We create a calm, predictable learning environment that respects your child's sensory needs.
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Our instructors are experienced in working with non-verbal children and those with limited communication. We use visual supports and schedules, modeling and demonstration, physical prompts and guidance, alternative communication methods (gestures, picture cards), and close observation of non-verbal cues. We also work closely with parents to understand your child's unique communication style and preferences before lessons begin.
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Our training equips us to manage a wide range of behaviors calmly and effectively. We use proactive strategies like visual schedules and clear expectations, positive reinforcement for desired behaviors, redirection and planned ignoring for attention-seeking behaviors, breaks when needed to prevent overwhelm, and consistent routines that help children feel secure. If a child's behavior poses a safety risk, we pause the lesson and work with families to adjust our approach.
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Our instructors' RBT credentials and ABA experience set us apart. We don't just teach swimming—we understand behavior, learning styles, and how to break down complex skills for children who learn differently. Combined with our private, one-on-one format and mobile service (we come to your home), we offer truly individualized instruction in a comfortable, familiar environment. Plus, we're not a therapy provider trying to teach swimming—we're swim instructors with specialized behavior support training.
Billing
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Cancellations made more than 1 hour before your scheduled lesson have no fee
Cancellations made within 1 hour of the lesson start time incur a $35 cancellation fee
Cancellations made upon arrival or after the scheduled start time will be charged 50% of the lesson rate
If the instructor cancels due to weather or unsafe conditions, we'll reschedule at no additional cost
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Payment is due at the time of service unless a prepayment arrangement has been agreed upon in advance. We can provide receipts and invoices for scholarship or reimbursement programs like Step Up for Students
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Yes! We provide receipts and invoices that can be submitted to Step Up for Students
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4-lesson and 8-lesson monthly packages or more upon request
Clients in the 4-lesson package receive 1 makeup credit per month, while 8-lesson package clients receive 2 makeup credits per month for missed lessons.
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Makeup credits are provided for cancellations made more than 1 hour in advance. Credits reset on the 1st of each month and expire if not used within 30 days. Credits have no cash value and cannot be transferred outside your household. Cancellations made less than 1 hour before a lesson are not eligible for credits.
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If a session must end early due to circumstances beyond the instructor's control:
Sessions lasting 30 minutes or less are charged at 50% of the lesson rate
Sessions lasting more than 30 minutes are billed in 15-minute increments
No refunds are issued once a session has been completed
Preparing for Lessons
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The introductory lesson allows us to assess your child's current comfort level, abilities, and goals. We'll introduce basic water safety concepts and begin building trust and confidence in the water
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Lesson duration varies based on age and attention span as well as physical ability—typically 30 minutes for young children and 45-60 minutes for older children
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We recommend 1-2 lessons per week for consistent progress. More frequent lessons help children retain skills better, especially when first learning
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Just access to your pool. We bring all teaching equipment and materials needed for instruction. You're welcome to have towels ready for after the lesson, but we handle everything else
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Absolutely! Parents are welcome to supervise lessons from the pool deck or inside the home
For young children or those who become easily distracted, we recommend observing from a spot where your child can't see you—many children focus better with one instructor guiding them -
Yes. Parents are responsible for disclosing any relevant medical conditions, physical limitations, allergies, or disabilities prior to the start of lessons. This helps us provide the safest and most effective instruction for your child.