SHERMAN, Texas (KXII) – Sherman held its second annual Adaptive Water Safety Day on Sunday, offering specialized swim instruction to families with children who have autism, ADHD, anxiety and other specialized needs.
The event at the Splash Family Aquatic Center addressed a critical safety gap for families whose children face higher drowning risks and are often excluded from traditional swim programs.
“Children with autism are 160 times more likely to drown, and the leading cause of death for children under 5 is drowning — so we’re here to equip parents with resources, practice, and community in how to increase their water safety awareness,” said Christy Baca of Texoma Swim Academy, who started the event.
Children participated in lessons on life jackets, rescue tubes and safe entry and exit from the water. Baca said families also learned about rituals and routines for nonverbal children to communicate with parents or caregivers about wanting to get in the water.
Every child received a free life jacket donated by Cook Children’s.
“This fills a gap where kids who may not have ever worn a life jacket get to wear a life jacket,” Baca said. “They’re all going to have the opportunity to take a life jacket that Cook Children’s has provided me.”
Baca said the need for the program is growing as the community expands.
“With our growing community, with pools being put into developmental neighborhoods and the high statistic rates we have of drowning at the lakes, with ponds, with backyard pools — this is very important to equip families with these resources,” she said.
Justin Eastwood, director of parks, recreation and cemeteries for Sherman, said the event addresses a service need in the community.
“We are fulfilling what is not just a huge service need, but an excitement within the community to participate in swim and adaptive play,” Eastwood said. “It doesn’t matter ages, backgrounds, or abilities — we provide needs to all those.”
Eastwood said community partnerships made the event possible.
“Our community cares and it takes partnerships and collaboration with the city to make things happen,” he said.
Sherman Mayor Shawn Teamann said the city is working to fill a gap in services for families with specialized learning needs.
“For a long time, there just wasn’t a lot of opportunities for families who have specialized learning needs — and so as Sherman is right at the center of that growth here in Grayson County, it’s important that we as a community step up and lead the way,” Teeman said.
Teamann credited volunteers and community members for making the event possible.
“Without the help of this community and the volunteers that step up to provide resources like this, events like this would not be possible,” he said.
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