Drowning remains the leading cause of death in children and because kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often wander away from their families and caregivers, making them 160 times more susceptible, the Clermont Police Department has created a scholarship program for adaptive swim lessons offered at the Central Florida Dreamplex. Adaptive swim lessons teach traditional skills and water safety in a way that accommodates those with physical, sensory, communication or behavioral challenges.
The Clermont Police Adaptive Swim Scholarship Fund was recently created to provide children with ASD a chance to learn to swim and to help reduce the number of drowning or near-drowning incidents. The parents or guardians of students who receive a scholarship will also be offered First Aid and CPR training from police instructors. \
“Florida is surrounded on three sides by oceans and filled with lakes, rivers, canals, ponds and swimming pools,” Chief Charles Broadway said. “This population often does not have the opportunity to learn the basic life skill of swimming and this program is one way to address that right here, right now.”
The Central Florida Dreamplex partners with local and certified, adaptive aquatics instructors to offer this program. There are typically eight, 30-minute lessons that can be held at private or community pools or at the Clermont Dreamplex pool, located at 2400 S. Highway 27.
Officers have also created and are selling a customized Autism Awareness patch for $10 each. These special patches are available at the Clermont Police Department and one hundred percent of the proceeds go to the scholarship fund. For more information on the adaptive swim program, to register or donate, visit https://www.cfldreamplex.com
