04-06-2025
Ireland's first autism-friendly swim classes a dream come true for my son, says mum
Watching Jayden's confidence grow in the water has been a dream come true for Elizabeth and her husband, Ian
Four-year-old Jayden was always a water lover but like so many children, the adorable Corkonian didn't understand the dangers it posed.
'If we were at the beach, he'd literally run straight into the water and have no concept that it's up above his mouth,' explains mum Elizabeth O'Connor.
'He literally had no concept of danger.'
Since joining Ireland's first autism-friendly swim classes at Turtle Tots, Jayden has come out of his shell in more ways than one — finding joy, confidence, and a safe space to be himself.
Speaking of the lifeline that the classes provide, the adoring mum explains: 'He's not quite very high needs, but he's not no needs either. So he's kind of an in-betweener... If he was in a mainstream class, he'd fall behind, he'd get lost.'
Speaking of Jayden's additional needs, Elizabeth adds: 'He struggles with his emotional regulation. He could go into a full blown meltdown over something small and it would be the end of the world to him.'
That's why the flexible, child-led approach at Turtle Tots stood out.
'What I really loved was that not every child is expected to do the same thing. They work with what your child needs, not against it,' she says. 'Jayden wasn't pushed. He could go at his own pace.'
Watching Jayden's confidence grow in the water has been a dream come true for the young mum and her husband, Ian, who brings Jayden to his weekly sessions.
Jayden with Elizabeth, Ian and his brother Harry
'He can actually swim now. He can swim with his head under the water... We have to remind him to come up for air,' she laughs. 'He can also float completely. So at least I know if he does end up in water, he can float. That is such a huge relief for us.
'Every time the renewal comes up, we just renew it — there's no question about it. The main thing is that he enjoys it, that it's not something that's being forced on him. He actually wants to do it.'
Accessing support and therapies for children with autism in Ireland is notoriously difficult. Long waiting lists, limited resources and patchy access to specialised care leave many families feeling overwhelmed and isolated.
Receiving Jayden's autism diagnosis when he was just three years old, the mum-of-two says inclusivity and access to resources has never been more important.
'He always tries to include everyone... even when he's doing the swimming, he's like, 'Why aren't they getting in the pool?''
'He's only four, but he knows what it feels like to be not included. So he always tries his best to include kids.
'He's crazy, but he's very caring. He loves making friends. He'll always say, 'I love you, mom,' just out of nowhere. And obviously for a kid with autism, that's huge. Sometimes children with autism are not very aware of other people's emotions. So he's fantastic. He really is.'
Jayden and his dad Ian love their weekly classes
News in 90 June 4th
Now looking forward to attending big school in September, Elizabeth says she has never been prouder of her beautiful boy who loves nothing more than doting on his younger brother, 10-month-old Harry.
'I just think these classes, obviously when he's so young as well, make a huge impact as opposed to if he was older and trying to get him into something. It's just become part of his routine now and he is thriving.
'After coming on from all these groups... if he wasn't in them, he'd still be back where he was.'
Speaking to parents who also have children on the spectrum, Elizabeth says there's also a sense of camaraderie and community in the classes.
'It's actually even good for the parents because we're all in the same boat.
'If the session is a half an hour and your child is only in the water for five minutes, that's a huge win.'
Alan Reinhardt, founder of Turtle Tots, explains the thoughtful structure behind their autism-friendly programme: 'Our classes are small and consistent. We start and finish each session the same way to create routine, and we give children the time they need, with no pressure.
'We do demos as visuals to explain the activities with more emphasis than in our mainstream classes and after recent studies we're starting to implement visual schedules, which includes photos and images of the activities, visual supports also supplement verbal instructions.
'We adapt everything based on the child, not the other way around,' Alan says.
With specially trained teachers and an Autism Programme Mentor supporting them, Turtle Tots is expanding their ASD classes across Cork, Dublin, and beyond, into Wicklow, Wexford, Kerry, Mayo, and more.
And for families who may be navigating an autism diagnosis, Elizabeth has the following advice: 'Even if somebody else has it a million times worse than you, what you are dealing with your child is so valid.
'It's also important to remember that your child is happy in their world. What our expectation of happy is different to their expectation of happy. It takes the time to get used to that.
'And it goes without saying that people should always approach a situation with kindness. If you see a child having a meltdown, don't stare — just smile. Something as simple as that can really help,
'I'm not just [talking about] a child on the spectrum. I mean any child.'
