Aquatic Life

PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

We also offer lessons for typical children and adults.

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TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL

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702-577-6233 or email [email protected]

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The Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has increased 119% between 2000-2010. It is the fastest growing developmental disorder in the United States. Currently 1 in 50 kids suffer with the condition and many remain undiagnosed. In 2009, 2010 & 2011 accidental drowning accounted for 91% of the total U.S. deaths reported in children 14 & under with ASD. It is time to take a serious look at improving our care for these children, diagnosing them early and providing quality professional programs that can turn these lives around. Many children will be able to lead productive individual lives if we tackle this problem together. It will take everyone from doctors, teachers, politicians and parents to get involved and push the study of behavioral analysis to places it has never considered going in our past. In Clark County Nevada alone there were 4934 children with ASD identified in the school system in 2013. State wide ASD students accounted for 1.42% of our student population. That does not include those who have not been diagnosed. Close to 1900 children with ASD will graduate from high school between 2021-2025. We need to make sure they are ready. There are many services that are needed to get and keep these children on track. Aquatic Life Nevada (ALN) will provide a service that not only will save many lives and give parents some piece of mind when their children are around water but ALN will provide a recreational activity that can be done throughout their lives and increase their confidence and social skills with other children and adults. As these children grow to adults they need to have life skills and routines they are familiar with and we can help them fill one of those needs. Healthy living through swimming and recreation and healthy social skills to enhance their overall function in society. Our founder has over 42 years in Aquatics and has worked with Olympians, Age group swimmers, beginners and special needs children throughout his career. He has seen first hand the difference swimming can make in a child with ASD for the entire family. ALN will provide a service like no other in Clark County.

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Aquatic Life Nevada Guiding Principles Vision & Mission.

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Guiding Principles - As with the overall program that the State of Nevada has put into effect with Nevada’s Five-Year Strategic Plan for Addressing Systems for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Aquatic Life Nevada will emphasize many of the same guiding principles.

Community Support: Through support of various programs such as Aquatic Life Nevada communities will become safer and more knowledgable for their residents living with ASD.

Self Determination: As stated by the State of Nevada children and adults with ASD need self determination. This is accomplished through a variety of programs that develop social and recreational skills. With support from family and friends our professional instructors will help develop our participants confidence and self determination.

Applied Behavioral Analysis: As part of a team we will work with professionals who can help our aquatics students through applied behavioral analysis. Behaviors will be analyzed and modified to ensure our students move towards being a productive part of society.

Evidence Based Practices: As aquatics professionals we will utilize all methods and evidence based practices to monitor the effectiveness of treatment to promote better outcomes for our ASD students and their families. Techniques and communications with our students are always adapted to each individual and their specific needs.​

Vision - Aquatic Life Nevada will provide Nevadans living with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Clark County the opportunity to maximize their confidence and social skills through the act of learning to swim.

Mission - Aquatic Life Nevada will provide private and semiprivate swimming lessons for children with autism and other children with disabilities. We serve this population because it is underserved nation wide and we want to save lives and allow ASD children to lead confident, social and safe lives. We strive to provide the best service and lead by example as a part of our county and with our community partners to help improve the lives of our participants and their families. Aquatic Life Nevada is a part of the solution that helps to solve the problem of a 91% share of deaths due to drowning for children with ASD. Our employees are trained in our methods that allow for positive reinforcement for our participants and a social environment for them to thrive.

About our founder:

Gary Anderson is a former Los Angeles County Ocean Lifeguard who has been around water all his life. A two time Olympic Finalist in Seoul, Korea and Barcelona, Spain led Gary into a coaching career that lasted 18 years. Over that time he coached swimmers to the U.S National team, Scottish National Team, Maltese National Team and the Korean National Team. He also had swimmers at Division I schools Nation wide including Stanford, USC, Duke, Harvard, Clemson, UCSB, UC Irvine, Washington, Princeton and many more.

​Gary has also worked with disabled athletes of all types including CP, Autism and various physical disabilities. His work with disabled athletes has also yielded national level swimmers and has become his passion. He also has a Disability Swimming Certification from the American Swim Coaches Association.

As a ten time All-American at the University of Southern California Gary graduated with a degree in Exercise Science in 1994 and a Master of Business Administration Degree from UOP in 2008. He is a certified American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor, Water Safety Instructor, First Aid for Public Safety Instructor (Title 22), and Safety Training for Swim Coaches Instructor. He is also a Certified Pool Operator and a lifetime member of the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA).

While representing Canada in Medley, Backstroke and Relays from 1985-1995 Gary was a finalist in two Olympic Games, two World Championships, the Pan American Games, World University Games and won Gold Medals at the Commonwealth Games and the Pan Pacific Games.