It never would have occurred to me to take him for a swim staying on the surface but with scuba gear. Good going!
An unique experience for me as an instructor
- Thread starter tstormdiver
- Start date
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
OP
I tried to keep it as close as possible to what the other scouts were doing, so that he didn't feel left out.
wspalding
Contributor
That was a very compassionate approach to a difficult situation that paid off in spades. Much respect!!
Way to go!!! Helping those who have a different normal than most is always exciting. Baden Powell often said that Scouting is a game with a purpose. With Scuba, you can often make it a game with a porpoise! 
I'm a Diveheart Volunteer: What's your superpower?
I'm a Diveheart Volunteer: What's your superpower?
I've had a similar experience. A dad hired me to teach his autistic son to snorkel in preparation for a family vacation. Another to work with a Down's syndrome kid. It does take patience, understanding, and a clear set of rules. Number one being it is one on one with the instructor and the child. Number two is they dictate how the class goes, for how long (unless they really love it and you have to try and make them see that they need to get out. Blue is not a good color for lips and skin), and just what you can do with them as regards gear. One of the snorkeling kids hated the snorkel. So we ditched it and let I let him pick his head up when he needed to breathe.
EastEndDiver
Contributor
tstormdiver WAY TO GO !!!!!!
OP
Hahahaha!!!!!
Once the young man relaxed, I think he would have been one of those. Alas, I had his scouting buddies to also work with that day, so,.... as much as I would have loved to work with him more, we had to end the session
after about 20 minutes, with him begging to go again. I was in the water that day from 8am- 5pm & only got out once to change cylinders & get a good long drink. Was I pruney!
PantherDiver
Registered
My daughter is Autistic and has what they call sensory sensitivity. You'll find her with her hands over her ears, many different flooring and clothing can overwhelm her. She's in Jiu Jitsu and some things she can't tolerate at times which includes wearing the rougher GI. Having instructors who are willing to have kids experience to their ability and modify the event in any way so our kids can experience as much and close to the actual thing, well you guys are hero's. Great work!
Similar threads
