Features of teaching swimming to children of primary school age with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

The article presents an analysis of the peculiarities of teaching swimming to children of primary school age with autism spectrum disorder. The study was conducted on the basis of the sports complex “Burevestnik” in Kazan. According to the results of testing on the scale of assessment of the degree of autism of children, a group of boys aged 9-10 years was formed. In four children, the degree of autism is not expressed and moderately pronounced, in one child-a severe form of autism. At the time of the examination, the children did not know how to swim. Classes on the water were held for six months 3 times a week for 40 minutes. The children trained using the author’s equipment – special boards with an associative character (a fish with bubbles, a whale with a fountain, a dolphin, a frog, a turtle, a rocket). The size of the swimming board remained standard, 32x25cm. The development of the supporting device was due to the need to eliminate the inadequate response to various sensory stimuli, such as touching strangers or tactile contact with unfamiliar objects and textures, as well as to obtain positive associations and mental images for the successful development of a new exercise. At the end of six months of classes, all children with autism spectrum disorder have mastered swimming training according to the indicators: 1) immersion in water with exhalation in water, 2) sliding on the chest with the movement of the legs, 3) sliding on the chest with the movement of the legs and performing proper breathing. The study was determined by the ability to use boards to swim copyright form associative nature.