I don't know, but I have Angela on a waiting list for 1 on 1 lessons. She is now 8 an still nonverbal. They claim to be able to teach her to swim. They have 8 week course, the PT thinks closer to 20. I don't care just as long as she can save herself if she falls into water. After I saw this I was concerned:
Autism & Safety Facts
For in-depth information and safety tips, please visit NAA's Autism Safety site.
Drowning is among the leading causes of death of individuals with autism. Please click
here for a list of YMCA locations that offer special needs swimming lessons, and be sure
that your child's last lesson is with clothes and shoes on.
Overall Mortality
• In 2008, Danish researchers found that the mortality risk among the autism
population is twice as high as the general population
• In 2001, a California research team found elevated deaths in autism and attributed
it to several causes, including seizures and accidents such as suffocation and
drowning
WanderinglElopement
• Roughly half, or 48%, of children with an ASD attempt to elope from a safe
environment, a rate nearly four times higher than their unaffected siblings
• In 2009, 2010, and 2011, accidental drowning accounted for 91% total U.S.
deaths reported in children with an ASD ages 14 and younger subsequent to
wandering/elopement.
• More than one third of ASD children who wander/elope are never or rarely able to
communicate their name, address, or phone number
• Two in three parents of elopers reported their missing children had a "close call"
with a traffic injury
• 32% of parents reported a "close call" with a possible drowning
• Wandering was ranked among the most stressful ASD behaviors by 58% of
parents of elopers
• 62% of families of children who elope were prevented from attending/enjoying
activities outside the home due to fear of wandering
• 40% of parents had suffered sleep disruption due to fear of elopement
• Children with ASD are eight times more likely to elope between the ages of 7 and
10 than their typically-developing siblings
• Half of families with elopers report they had never received advice or guidance
about elopement from a professional
• Only 19% had received such support from a psychologist or mental health
professional
• Only 14% had received guidance from their pediatrician or another physician
Source: Interactive Autism Network Research Report: Elopement and Wandering (2011)
Source: National Autism Association, Lethal Outcomes in ASD Wandering (2012)
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has recently published an
important document for first responders and search and rescue personnel for cases
involving an individual with special needs. Please visit this link. print and share this
document with your local police, sheriff and fire departments.

My ASD boy has loved the water since he was little. Baths are his favorite time of the day. He is an amazing swimmer and love his swimming lessons. The worst that can happen is that it does not work out for your child and you lost some money paying for lessons. If she has not been exposed to water much or pools and such, I'd suggest acclimation might be your first goal. Get her used to the noises and splishing and splashing and running and other stresses. Then move to actual swimming.

I helped run swimming program for miss with disabilities while in college. An autistic young man was brought in. They did not know if he could swim or learn. He immediately took to it. He was a natural. Each one is unique.

my son is 3.5 years old and he just started lessons I'm going to assume it's going to order be awhile before he's swimming on his own. but our nephew is 8 and not high functioning after 2-3 years he can now swim in the pool and without any swim vest. :)

My daughter is nonverbal and does not follow directions very well so i am a little worried about this but i think i want to give it a try. I might go ahead and try the one on one. Thanks everyone for the responses!