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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

Surfing has changed ds1's life!

48 replies

saintlyjimjams · 27/08/2011 21:20

I could write a really long post now, but I won't. Although it will probably be longer than I plan.

I know I haven't posted on here much in the last few years so I'm not sure how many are still familiar with ds1. Ds1 is now 12, still non-verbal, still severely autistic, but in the last year (particularly this summer) he's been surfing a lot and it really has made such a huge difference to us all. Having something he can do, having something that calms him and is fun and run by a lovely bunch of people. He goes out with a fantastic (mainstream) surf school who give him 1:1 and usually an instructor goes on the board with him. They do a mix of giving him long rides into the beach, either pulling him to standing, or with him sitting on the board, but also we're now starting to try to get him surfing himself (this is slow, but we think he might eventually get there). I've started to learn as well so sometimes take him out, but he much prefers going out with a proper instructor.

I would never have guessed it could be something that ds1 could do, which is partly why I wanted to mention it here. It seems to suit many of those with severe autism/severe LD's which is perhaps something we wouldn't have predicted. My son who won't wait seconds for anything on dry land, will chill out and wait for a wave.

We organised for some kids from his respite centre to go out as well and that was really successful to the point where some of the other teens have started going regularly. Again this was something that their parents didn't expect.

Lifeworks, a learning disability organisation run Breaking the Barrier surf taster sessions each year in a few different areas.
www.lifeworks-uk.org/bbeventdetails.html This was how ds1 was introduced to surfing initially - he attended three sessions (one a year) before he started going out with the surf school. I think he's been at least once (and often more) every week this holiday and he asks for it every day. The days he hasn't been he's asked to go to the beach to walk the dog and then has been sat in the surf school van. Sometimes he even gets given a ride in their vans (they really are absolutely fantastic with him).

So really just to say if you fancy giving it a go and want any information/have any questions feel free to ask or PM me. I'd really recommend it as something worth trying.

OP posts:

LIZS · 30/08/2011 12:33

hi jimjams, what a nice update. Am so glad he has found something which he can enjoy. ds took up sailing a few years back which has really helped his coordination and strenghtened his upper body. It has proved a great leveller for him physically, which so many other sports don't, and gives him an intellectual and social diversion as well as relaxation.

smurfling · 30/08/2011 12:38

What a fantastic post and film. Thank you for sharing.

It is so lovely to hear positive stories aout children with ASD.
My DS loves the water and really enjoyed the sea this summer too. Does anyone have any tips on finding a swim school for children with autism?

Original poster

saintlyjimjams · 30/08/2011 12:38

Oh ds1 had his eye on a laser going up and down in front of the beach the other day. A couple of the surf instructors sail and are going to take him next year. At the moment he just gets the instructors to paddle him miles out :)

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Original poster

saintlyjimjams · 30/08/2011 12:44

smurfling there's something called the halliwick technique. We don't have a trained teacher near us but I know people who have used it and said it's great....
www.halliwick.org.uk/

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smurfling · 30/08/2011 13:53

I will have a look now, thank you.

IfYouKnowYourHistory · 30/08/2011 15:53

That is fantastic video :)
He looks so content in the water.
I don't often post on here for various reasons but my son is v similar, severe autism,sld etc.
I really don't want to offend you here but he looks so very normal surfing, no flapping - so appropriate with the paddling bloody fantastic.

Original poster

saintlyjimjams · 30/08/2011 18:49

I think the paddling is quite new! The responding to bring told where to sit is as well - he used to lie down on his back not offended at all - I know exactly what you mean!

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Original poster

saintlyjimjams · 30/08/2011 18:52

He does still have his moments. Just back from the beach for a dog walk. where he decided he needed a wee and seemed to think he could just drop his trousers on a crowded beach (FFS!). Dragged him back to the toilets. He cheered up after a ride in a surf school 4wd. Then as an added bonus he got to shut the school shutters.

They're VERY good to him!

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willowthecat · 30/08/2011 18:55

It's a lovely video - the water and seeing your ds so in control of his environment it's very relaxing and soothing.

sis · 30/08/2011 20:10

Oh this is a lovely thread - thank you for the update. I've been here for years and you helped such a lot when my son was first diagnosed. The you tube clip is just amazing.

anonandlikeit · 30/08/2011 20:20

ds2 can only swim under water, as soon as he lifts his head he stands up(or sinks), i suppose its alot to co-ordinate & think about really.

Original poster

saintlyjimjams · 30/08/2011 22:48

I've edited it so it's the right length and added it to vimeo vimeo.com/28348727

It is quite a lot to co-ordinate - and ds1 is so much more co-ordinated on the surf board than he first was

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nikos · 31/08/2011 08:48

This is a lovely video. The instructor looks so at ease with your son. It struck me as well that a lot of the instruction is non verbal and he can be with someone else but with not a lot of demands to communicate (in whatever form). Loved the film as well - did you make and put music to it?

Original poster

saintlyjimjams · 31/08/2011 08:54

The instructor is fab! So good with ds1 - he does have a lot of experience teaching autistic kids. They're all good there.

The video was shot using a go pro camera borrowed from a lifeguard and taped to the board. I added the music. I know the instructor has done one as well, saw him briefly yesterday and he said he's put slow motion bits in it so it should be pretty cool. He's flying off on holiday today so not sure he'll get a chance to upload it until he comes back. Can't wait to see it. Those cameras are brilliant.

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nikos · 31/08/2011 09:01

Watched it again and at the beginning you can see your son glance behind and observe the instructor paddling and then start to copy him. I remember you said things really started to take off for your ds when he started to imitate.
I would recommend you show the video when you apply for funding- speaks volumes (and looks pretty cool too)

Original poster

saintlyjimjams · 31/08/2011 09:52

It'll be going on the website (or the instructor's version will) ds1 does really listen to the instructors. They're laid back but don't let him get away with stuff iykwim. He gets to know them as well and who does what with him. There's a bit where another instructor walks past and ds1 points out to sea and the instructor points as well. He's taken ds1 out quite a bit and always takes him quite a long way out which he loves (the 2 instructors in the video take him the furthest) so ds1 recognised him as someone who might be persuaded to paddle him out towards France

Imitation has definitely made a difference - not sure he woukd have wanted to surf before he could imitate (as I don't think he would have had any comprehension of it)

Honestly over the years we've spent thousands - literally- on autism therapies and these guys have done more for ds1 and changed his life more than everything else put together.

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nikos · 31/08/2011 10:33

That's a pretty amazing last paragraph. I've often wondered that with anything it is just finding the key to engagement with the world for our children. Then there is a sort of avalanche effect in terms if their progress. So pleased for you all, has lifted my day to watch this.

sphil · 31/08/2011 14:44

I agree with the idea of a 'key'. I want to find Ds2 a trampolining instructor - a friend of mine who is very good on the trampoline came over the other day, took Ds2 on, and within 30 minutes had got him doing a sequence of movements ( he is a child who finds sequencing of any kind very very difficult). Not only that, but he was talking spontaneously, using brilliant eye contact and referencing her really well. Wish we lived nearer Jimjams so we could do the surfing regularly - think it would work for him too, though trampolining is great for him because of the face to face contact.

silverfrog · 31/08/2011 15:19

sphil, have you tried at your local leisure centre?

both dd1's last school, and her new school, have had lessons at their respective local leisure centres. no special training as such for the instructors (just whatever the council deems necessary, I guess), and dd1 has benefitted enormously from it.

Original poster

saintlyjimjams · 31/08/2011 16:15

I agree about the key and maybe finding it when you don't expect it.

I mean every word of the last paragraph. Partly it's been life changing because it's changed more than the surfing. It's given us a place we can go and he can be who he is and be accepted. We go to the beach nearly every day he's home now. I'm so grateful to them all.

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sphil · 31/08/2011 20:49

As far as I know our local leisure centre only does group lessons, which wouldnt be any good for DS2 as you have to wait between turns. DS1 learnt for a while and spent more time on his DS than he did on the trampoline! I could ask though - trouble is it would have to be a particular type of person to appeal to DS2 and from what I've seen of the instructors down there, they ain't it!

RinkyDinkyDoo · 31/08/2011 21:01

That is an amazing video. You must be so proud!! I love the fact that your son is obviously relishing his time in the water and the instructors are clearly loving his engagement. Great :o

Original poster

saintlyjimjams · 31/08/2011 22:31

Very happy, although I think it's all the instructors who should be proud, it's all down to them. :)

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