Kids with autism learn swimming skills at third annual Subway Swim Day at GAC
Majority of wandering-related deaths involving autistic kids are due to drownings
WHAT: The Greensboro Aquatic Center and local Subway® restaurants invite you to the third annual Swim Day, in an effort to raise awareness and teach kids with autism basic swimming skills.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 28, from 12:00-3:00 p.m.
(Two swim sessions begin at 12:30 and 2:00)
WHERE: Greensboro Aquatic Center
1921 W. Gate City Blvd.
Greensboro, NC 27403
Dion Dreesens, a two-time Olympian and Olympic Finalist in the 2012 and 2016 games, European gold medalist, multiple individual NCAA champion, and 2016 NCAA swimmer of the year award winner for collegiate swimming, is joining Subway® restaurant owners, and the Greensboro Aquatic Center, in a Subway Swim Day for kids with autism. Parents associated with the group Autism Unbound, a local non-profit organization in Greensboro, signed their children up to learn basic swimming skills from coaches at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. Walk-ins are welcome the day of the event for children with autism, who are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Event information is available at autismunbound.org.
Camera crews are welcome to capture the Greensboro Aquatic Center’s coaches and celebrity swimmer Dion Dreesens, who lives in Charlotte, teaching kids with autism basic swimming skills. After swimming, participants will enjoy a free Subway meal and guardians can learn more safety tips to take home.
According to a March 2017 study from the National Autism Association, 70 to 90 percent of wandering-related deaths involving autistic children are due to drownings. The NAA states nearly half of all children with autism are prone to wandering, also known as eloping or bolting, from adult supervision and going to an object of fascination, such as water. They advise families to use a “tag, your it” system with children at family gatherings and to “search water first” for missing children. Wandering quick tips are available here.
Locally-owned Subway restaurant owners and the Greensboro Aquatic Center felt a need to organize the event after hearing about the high risk of drownings for people with autism. Subway of Greensboro is a sponsor of the Center.
“We promote healthy living but this is something bigger. These lessons could very well be the reason a child with autism survives a life-threatening situation,” Tommy Kirkman, local owner of several Subway restaurants in the Triad. “It is rewarding to be part of this fun and educational community event.”