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Swimming Visual Supports for Autistic Children: Social Story and Routine Strips

Swimming Visual Supports for Autistic Children: Social Story and Routine Strips

$19.99 AUD
$19.99 AUD
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Swimming Visual Supports for Autistic Children: Social Story and Routine Strips

A print-ready visual support pack including a swimming social story and two routine strips to help autistic children and children with sensory differences know exactly what to expect at the pool.

"We read it together every morning before swim day. By the time we got to the pool he already knew what was coming. That changed everything."

What this is

Visual supports reduce anxiety by making the unknown known

One of the most consistent findings in our work with autistic children is that anxiety around swimming is rarely about the water itself. It is about not knowing what comes next. The noise, the change of clothes, the unfamiliar instructor, the unpredictable splashing. When a child cannot predict what is about to happen, their nervous system goes into protection mode before they have even arrived at the pool.

Visual supports work because they give children a way to rehearse the experience in their minds before it happens. A social story that walks through the swimming visit step by step, combined with a routine strip that shows exactly what to pack and what the lesson sequence looks like, removes the uncertainty that drives so much of the distress.

This pack gives you all three tools, ready to print and use straight away.

Print and laminate the routine strips for the swim bag. Read the social story together the night before and on the morning of swim day. These are designed to be used repeatedly, not once.

What is included

Three visual tools in one pack

Swimming Social Story

A 6 page illustrated social story walking through a full swimming visit from arrival to finish. Written in simple first person language with real photos. Covers going to the pool, looking first, sitting near the water, touching the water, going in with help, and finishing feeling proud.

My Pool Routine Strip

A visual sequence showing the 7 steps of the pool visit: go to pool, look, sit, touch water, in with help, lesson time, finished. Designed to be printed, laminated, and kept in the swim bag or on the fridge. Gives children a clear picture of what the whole visit looks like.

My Packing Up Routine Strip

A visual sequence showing the 7 steps of packing the swim bag: towel, goggles, swimming togs, drink bottle, change of clothes, zip and go. Reduces the stress of transitions by making the preparation routine predictable and child-led.

How to use them

Simple to use, designed to be used over and over

  • Read the social story together the night before swim day and again on the morning
  • Print and laminate the routine strips so they last the whole term
  • Keep the pool routine strip in the swim bag so your child can refer to it at the pool
  • Use the packing strip to give your child ownership of getting ready independently
  • Point to each step as you go rather than narrating verbally, the visual does the work
Who this is for

For children who need to know what is coming before they can feel safe

  • Autistic children who struggle with transitions and unpredictable environments
  • Children with sensory processing differences who need preparation before new experiences
  • Children who respond well to visual information over verbal instruction
  • Families who want a simple, low-effort tool they can use every single week
  • Children at any stage of their swimming journey, from first visit to regular lessons
About this resource

Created by paediatric occupational therapists at EquipKids

3 Visual tools included: social story, pool routine strip, packing routine strip
Print Ready to print and laminate. Designed to be used every week, not just once
OT Built on evidence based visual support strategies used in paediatric OT practice

Visual supports are one of the most evidence based strategies in paediatric occupational therapy for reducing anxiety and supporting autistic children through transitions. This pack brings that clinical tool directly into your hands in a format that is ready to use today.

Part of a bigger system

This pack is one piece of a complete swimming confidence framework

Thrive in the Water Complete Swim Confidence Pack — AU$49.99

Includes this visual supports pack plus the full 33 page OT ebook, 5 practical how-to guides, and a feelings scale your child can use at the pool to signal overwhelm before it escalates.

Save AU$44.93 compared to buying everything separately.

See the full pack
Common questions

What parents ask about this pack

What is a social story for swimming?
A social story is a short, illustrated narrative that walks a child through a specific situation before it happens. For swimming, it describes the visit step by step in simple first-person language, so the child can mentally rehearse what to expect. This reduces the uncertainty that drives anxiety at the pool.
Do visual supports actually work for autistic children at swimming?
Yes. Visual supports are one of the most well evidenced strategies in paediatric occupational therapy for supporting autistic children through transitions and new environments. When children can see what is coming next, their nervous system does not need to stay on high alert. The result is a calmer, more engaged child at the pool.
What age are these designed for?
The social story and routine strips are designed for children aged approximately 3 to 10, though older children who respond well to visual supports will find them equally useful. The simple language and clear visuals make them accessible for a wide range of abilities.
Can I edit the social story to suit my child?
The pack is provided as a print-ready PDF. It is not editable, but the content is designed to be broadly applicable to most pool environments and swimming lesson formats.
How do I receive it?
Instantly after purchase you will receive a download link by email. PDF format. Print at home or at a print shop. Laminate the routine strips for durability.

Disclaimer: Swimming Visual Supports for Autistic Children is an educational resource designed to support families of autistic children and children with sensory processing differences. It is not a substitute for professional occupational therapy or medical advice. Always seek personalised advice from a qualified therapist for your child's unique needs.

Created by the clinical team at EquipKids Occupational Therapy, Melbourne · mytheraplaybox.com.au
© 2025 MyTheraPlayBox. All rights reserved.

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