Water Safety Resources and Support for Our Special Needs Students
- Safe and Sound Schools
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
At Safe and Sound Schools, our comprehensive and inclusive approach to school safety has always been rooted in creating supportive environments where every student can thrive. As part of that approach, we know that one of the most overlooked and underestimated risks for students with special needs is water safety and the adaptive skills needed to stay safe in and around bodies of water – at school, at home, and within our communities.
A Personal Connection
Many of those familiar with Safe and Sound Schools are also familiar with the joyful and adventurous spirit of one of our guiding lights, Josephine “Joey” Grace Gay. Daughter of founder and executive director, Michele Gay, Joey was truly remarkable, or “especially special” as we like to say. A child with autism, apraxia of speech, gross motor and visual impairments, Joey also had a deep love of water—something Michele and her family worked hard to understand and manage safely.
Whether at home, in community spaces, or in school environments, they quickly realized how critical water safety skills were to her well-being. Specialized swim lessons helped Joey gain confidence and crucial water safety skills tailored to her unique needs; they also supported the family’s ability to safely manage water-related environments with Joey.
It wasn’t just about teaching swim strokes; it was about creating personalized, trauma-informed strategies that empower children like Joey and their caregivers to navigate water environments safely and confidently. That’s why we’re proud to share resources from our friends at Swim Angelfish, a program offering adaptive aquatic instruction for children and students with special needs.
Why Water Safety is an Important Part of School Safety
Younger children and students with autism and other sensory or motor challenges often face heightened risks, including around water and bodies of water, both on and near school campuses. Students with autism and sensory seeking behaviors like Joey are often prone to wander and may be naturally attracted to water, making water safety education and preparation an increasingly important topic for today’s school communities.
Adaptive and educational swim programs like Swim Angelfish’s are not just about swimming — they’re about building trust, independence, and important life skills of safety in ways that serve children throughout their lives. More and more, schools look to programs dedicated to protecting students with special needs, such as Swim Angelfish and our signature Especially Safe training, as essential in preparing for the safety of students. Swim Angelfish co-founders, Cindy Freedman and Ailene Tisser, define adaptive water safety as a comprehensive, proactive approach to equipping students with the confidence and skills they need to recognize risk, follow routines, and ask for help in water environments.
This includes teaching rituals like stopping at the pool gate or asking permission for water play—strategies that reinforce safe behavior and empower students with self-regulation tools. Adaptive swim safety is a way to build real-life habits that can save lives.
By integrating adaptive swim resources into your school’s safety framework, you’re sending a clear message: every child is seen, supported, and protected. You’re also making your school more trauma-informed and inclusive, not only in the classroom but across the entire safety ecosystem. When families of special needs students feel understood and supported, they’re more likely to trust that the school is truly prepared to keep their children safe — both physically and emotionally.
Resources for Families and Schools
Swim Angelfish offers free resources on their website to help families and educators better understand aquatic safety for children with diverse needs. These include:
Tips for parents to build comfort and confidence around swimming
Downloadable Water Safety Toolkit with visuals, videos, and customizable routines
A YouTube channel featuring real-world swim success stories and strategies
They also offer an adaptive swim certification program and tools for schools to evaluate their readiness to support students with special needs in aquatic settings. You can explore these valuable tools at swimangelfish.com.
Building a Culture of Adaptive Safety Together
Creating a safe school is more than drills and protocols — it’s about community, empathy, and proactive support. Water safety and education programs can strengthen this culture, helping schools become places where every student, including those with special needs, feels safe, supported, and empowered.
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