For many children with autism, entering a swimming pool for the first time can be intimidating. Bright lights, loud voices, splashing water and unfamiliar faces can quickly become overwhelming. Yet, for coaches at SwimWorld Kenya, those challenging first moments often mark the beginning of a remarkable journey.
With patience, consistency and an understanding of how every child learns differently, the organisation says children who once resisted stepping into the water are gradually becoming confident swimmers, communicating more and embracing a sport that allows them to thrive at their own pace.
Speaking during an interview with Radio Generation's show Sports Garage , SwimWorld Kenya Co-Founder Kenneth Wena said teaching children with autism starts with understanding the condition rather than focusing only on swimming techniques.
"You don't need to know everything about autism. You just need to understand how to interact with that person," Wena said.
He explained that many autistic children struggle with communication, avoid eye contact and often find it difficult to interpret social cues. They also prefer direct instructions and may be uncomfortable with physical touch, making the first lessons particularly demanding for coaches.
Unlike many other sports that require constant interaction with teammates, swimming allows children to work at their own pace while gradually building trust with their instructor.
Even so, Wena admitted the first sessions are rarely easy.
Coaches often have to guide children through unfamiliar experiences, sometimes receiving scratches or bites as they gently encourage them into the water. The noise around the pool, other children playing and bright lighting can also make settling into lessons difficult.
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From Fear to Confidence
Despite those early challenges, Wena said the transformation begins once children become comfortable in the water.
"The moment they settle in, touch the water and understand it, you can actually see their faces light up," he said.
He described watching anxious children slowly relax as they begin feeling the water around them. At first they hold tightly onto their coach or a floating aid, reluctant to let go. With patience and repetition, they begin trusting themselves, holding the floater independently before eventually swimming without assistance.
For many families, those moments represent milestones far greater than learning a sport.
Children who once hesitated to enter the pool eventually walk straight to the water, dive in confidently and enjoy swimming without needing constant reassurance.
"They don't even look at anyone. They just walk straight to the water, jump in and do their own. They don't disturb anyone. They just have fun," Wena said.
According to him, swimming works particularly well because many autistic children understand and process information visually and practically.
Instead of relying heavily on spoken instructions, coaches demonstrate movements repeatedly, allowing children to learn through observation and experience.
Wena said those methods have been refined over years of working with autistic children, with much of that knowledge coming through practical experience.
He credited fellow SwimWorld Kenya Co-Founder John Mburu for helping shape many of the coaching techniques used today.
Wena said Mburu's years of experience in swimming and water safety have helped coaches better understand how autistic children respond in the water and how different approaches can unlock their confidence.
The impact, however, extends well beyond the swimming pool. "Over time, autistic kids get freer. They get stronger because they swim independently," Wena said.
He explained that regular swimming helps children become calmer, especially during stressful periods.
"Being in water is the most peaceful place. It's serenity," he said.
Wena added that some of the most rewarding moments have come from children who previously spoke very little but gradually began communicating with their coaches.
"Some of them even start speaking. We've witnessed that. Some who never used to speak now say, 'Hi coach,' 'Hello' and 'Bye,'" he said.
Parents, he added, often notice those changes at home.
According to Wena, many ask whether their children can attend more lessons because they constantly ask to return to the swimming pool.
"Most parents ask us, 'How many times can we increase the number of sessions?' because the child is at home saying, 'Swimming, swimming, swimming,'" he said.
Swimming also provides an alternative to sports that may feel overwhelming for some autistic children.
Football and basketball involve many players, changing rules, whistles and constant movement. Swimming, on the other hand, offers a calmer and more structured environment where children can concentrate on one activity at a time.
"It's an easier way to have them participate in sports," Wena said.
Every Child Learns Differently
While every child learns the same basic swimming skills, Wena said there is no single teaching method that works for everyone.
"The process changes depending on the child that you have in front of you," he said.
He explained that autism exists across different spectrums. Some children are verbal while others are non-verbal, meaning coaches must constantly adapt their approach based on each child's needs and responses.
Although every child must learn to hold their breath, float and coordinate their arms and legs, how those lessons are introduced varies from one child to another.
Sometimes, Wena said, children learn through experience.
They may briefly swallow water before realising they need to close their mouths underwater. Others discover that kicking their legs is what keeps them moving forward.
While those early lessons can appear difficult, he said they become important learning moments that help children gain confidence and independence.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder, is a group of conditions linked to brain development that affects how people communicate, interact with others and experience the world around them.
The WHO estimates that about one in every 127 people worldwide was living with autism in 2021. Signs of autism can appear in early childhood, although many people are not diagnosed until much later.
The organisation says autism affects people differently. While some autistic people can live independently, others require lifelong care and support, with their abilities and needs changing over time.
Scientific evidence suggests there is no single known cause of autism. Instead, researchers believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors increases the likelihood of a child developing the condition.
These include advanced parental age, maternal diabetes during pregnancy, prenatal exposure to certain air pollutants or heavy metals, premature birth, severe birth complications and low birth weight.
The WHO notes that recognising autism before a child reaches 12 months can be difficult, although diagnosis is generally possible by the age of two years. Early signs may include delayed or lost language and social skills together with repetitive patterns of behaviour.
The organisation says evidence-based psychosocial interventions can improve communication and social skills while improving the quality of life of autistic people and their caregivers. It also calls for greater accessibility, inclusion and stronger community support.
For Wena, every child who becomes comfortable in the water represents more than another swimming success.
Each smile after overcoming fear, every greeting to a coach and every confident stroke across the pool reflects progress that reaches far beyond the water. It is proof that with patience, understanding and the right environment, swimming can become much more than a sport for children with autism—it can become a pathway to confidence, independence and belonging.