WGNTV: Scuba diving an unlikely tool for kids and adults with autism

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

DiveHeart

DiveHeart Instructor
Scuba Instructor
Messages
4,008
Reaction score
674
Location
Chicago
Scuba diving an unlikely tool for kids and adults with autism | WGN-TV

[video]http://wgntv.com/2014/08/05/scuba-diving-an-unlikely-tool-for-kids-and-adults-with-autism/#ooid=5iZWpnbzoiz_VXX6l1dVFQut3OoW2At-[/video]

Scuba diving an unlikely tool for kids and adults with autism

POSTED 10:02 PM, AUGUST 5, 2014, BY KATHARIN CZINK

Going deep in search of a sense of calm. Scuba diving builds confidence, especially for those with disabilities. But for kids and adults with autism spectrum disorders, there’s an added benefit.
The lesson starts at the side of the pool. Twenty-six-year-old Nick Johnson and his dive buddy – his dad Glenn — gear up.
Nick Johnson, scuba student: “Ever since we started diving, felt we’re part of a team, we’re more connected.”
Glenn Johnson, Nick’s father: “I’ve always wanted to take Nick diving, that’s been a dream for years. Never thought I could do it.”
Jim Elliott is the founder of Diveheart, a non-profit dedicated to helping kids and adults build confidence and independence through scuba diving. He’s helping Nick, who has autism, do the same.
Jim Elliott, Diveheart Founder: “We’ve been working with Nick several years now.”
Nick Johnson: “I was nervous at first, but when it comes to water, I just love the water.”
Jim Elliott: “His confidence, he’s really into it. It’s special.”
It shows. In the water, Nick is more relaxed, even playful. It’s something Jim notices in so many of his students – some challenged with disabilities like cerebral palsy and Down syndrome, others with traumatic brain injuries.”
Jim Elliott: “As you go down you have to look really hard at people to see if they have a disability, because when you put all that gear on we all kind of look the same.”
In the water, Nick practices the basics, but as he fills his mind with new skills, a sense of calm washes away the anxiety.
Glenn Johnson: “One time before the dive he was talking about how he really needed to dive, he was under a lot of stress at the time, and he needed to dive to clear his head.”
Jim Elliott: “It’s inherently hyperbaric, so when you go down, pressure increases and that pressure is a therapy for kids with autism.”
Nick Johnson: “Organizes and kind of sets everything straight, so I can think straight.”
A scientific study dove deeper into the benefits of scuba. Researchers at Midwestern University surveyed 10 kids and adults with autism spectrum disorders. They found a common theme among them – finding sensory freedom in the water. Underwater, visual and auditory distractions are minimized. The effect is calming and for someone with autism, it’s a welcome feeling.
Glenn Johnson: “After the dive he’s a lot more relaxed, a lot more in the moment.”
But Nick and his dad don’t need hard data to be convinced. Instead, they’re focusing on future adventures.

Glenn Johnson: “Hope to get him down to the Caribbean and then Lake Michigan and Superior. Seeing his boost in confidence, that self-identity of a diver. He tells all his friends and family.”
 
My 7 year old daughter is autistic. She's a chicken when it comes to doing anything. I recently got her to put on a scuba mask and snorkel in the pool and within minutes she was swimming. It took me 6 months to get her to put on the mask at the pool. Now I can't wait for her to get older.

My oldest daughter has CP and I'm hoping one day I can get her in the water too. When asked if she would like to go diving, she simply replies, "I wish..."
 
I have an autistic cousin who I was able to put in the water with snorkeling gear and a few instructions, he took to it instantly and now his mother takes him to the pool regularly for a quick "snorkel swim"(his words). According to her it helps him remain motivated and inspired in his other activities. With that in mind there may be something to this DiveHeart!
 
There are instructors in my area that don't want anything to do with the "tough" students, so I generally get them. Given enough patience and encouragement, I have had no problems certifying all types of people....autistic, paraplegics, ADHD, amputees, etc.
never judge a book by its cover.
 
My 7 year old daughter is autistic. She's a chicken when it comes to doing anything. I recently got her to put on a scuba mask and snorkel in the pool and within minutes she was swimming. It took me 6 months to get her to put on the mask at the pool. Now I can't wait for her to get older.

My oldest daughter has CP and I'm hoping one day I can get her in the water too. When asked if she would like to go diving, she simply replies, "I wish..."

Here is a great place to start their journey http://diveheart.org/images/stories/2014/Flyers/Mediakit.pdf call my cell and we can talk more 630-408-1920 how to help out.
 
One of my instructors once remarked how different my son was at depth. He went so far as to explain why.


...//... POSTED 10:02 PM, AUGUST 5, 2014, BY KATHARIN CZINK

Jim Elliott: “It’s inherently hyperbaric, so when you go down, pressure increases and that pressure is a therapy for kids with autism.”
Nick Johnson: “Organizes and kind of sets everything straight, so I can think straight.”

I believe that it is far more fundamental than that. Nitrogen is a neuromodulator at depth. Twenty some years ago, I asked the great Dr. Charles Bean why we give hyperactive kids stimulants. His laymen oriented answer was perfect: They are trapped in an oppressive, slow, grey world with their minds running a hundred miles an hour. Add stimulants and you add color, action, interest. This is calming and they respond in kind. Know that there is nothing organically "wrong" with your son, if everyone were like him I would be treating you for profound depression...
 

Pretty crazy timing. A dive buddy posted a local article about DiveHeart on FB yesterday for me to see and when I responded to it, someone from the local chapter reached out to me. With that, I guess the journey is starting. I can't wait to see her under water one day. Thank you for posting your information. I'll give you a call if things stall, but I think it will only gain momentum.
 
I have an autistic cousin who I was able to put in the water with snorkeling gear and a few instructions, he took to it instantly and now his mother takes him to the pool regularly for a quick "snorkel swim"(his words). According to her it helps him remain motivated and inspired in his other activities. With that in mind there may be something to this DiveHeart!

Sorry if this is a repeat, but at Diveheart we've found that scuba profoundly effects young people with autism. I had one student who went from 90% special classes to 90% mainstream classes within two months after his week long scuba adventure trip. here is his mother talking about the power of scuba therapy for people with cognitive impairments and autism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3uxB6e0mk4

WGN TV REPORT ON SCUBA THERAPY & AUTISM
Scuba diving an unlikely tool for kids and adults with autism | WGN-TV

Scuba diving an unlikely tool for kids and adults with autism
wgntv.com

Going deep in search of a sense of calm. Scuba diving builds confidence, especially for those with disabilities. But for kids and adults with autism spectrum disorders, there’s an added benefit. Th...






---------- Post added August 19th, 2014 at 02:11 PM ----------

I love the way you approach your students regardless of their abilities. I don't even see a persons disability anymore I only see the abilities they have and use them to the fullest extent so that they can participate and enjoy zero gravity with Diveheart. This interview with Blackhawk Helicopter pilot Tammy Duckworth might be something that you could show your students prior to class. it's pretty inspiring….keep up the great work

---------- Post added August 19th, 2014 at 02:13 PM ----------

Sorry, forgot the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-7MfCIQNzU to the Tammy Duckworth interview.

---------- Post added August 19th, 2014 at 02:15 PM ----------

Awesome, let us know how we can help.
 
I think this is so cool. I never thought of the therapeutic benefits to these types of issues. May I ask what other precautions need to be taken when teaching some of these kiddos? I guess I expected to see more disagreement with liability, etc in a sport that can have such harsh consequences so quickly if something was to go wrong. I'd love to hear/learn more about how you guys do this! Right on!
 
We're hoping that instructors and divers from around the world wanting to become buddies for Adaptive Divers will check out our latest publications on the subject. Just being aware of what is possible is a very powerful tool. The on line versions have awesome links to news stories and related videos that will blow you away…. Diveheart Instructor/Buddy manual http://www.amazon.com/Diveheart-Adaptive-Scuba-Instructor-Buddy/dp/0988505827 Adaptive Diver manual Amazon.com: Diveheart Adaptive Diver eBook: Jim Elliott, Michael Kaufman, Eric Douglas: Kindle Store
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

Back
Top Bottom