Among SwimRVA’s 4 locations, there are plenty of swimmers with unique journeys through aquatic fitness. Over at SwimRVA-Church Hill, Michael is a shining example of success.
Michael has been taking part in our adult swim lessons since October of 2024 and attends classes weekly. Like many people on the autism spectrum, Michael has an affinity for the water, and takes swim lessons to refine his swim strokes. He has been ‘swim safe’ since a young age, so his participation in swim lessons is for more than just safety, a sentiment echoed by Michael’s mother, Dr. Cynthia Favret, who expresses the importance of exercise and social engagement in the lives of those living with disabilities.
Throughout his time in lessons, our swim instructors and deck coordinators have noticed his progression and receptiveness. Though often underdiscussed, many people with autism have difficulty with certain motor functions, such as coordinating the movement of multiple body parts at the same time. Dr. Favret said he’s made great strides in this ability, sharing, “I have been so grateful to see the progress that he has made as a result of his individual coaching… specifically, that he can now move and engage both his feet and arms simultaneously to swim. Although most folks take this for granted, it’s been a truly long-term goal for Michael, given his disability.”
One of SwimRVA-Church Hill’s swim instructors, Tai-Li, has connected particularly well with Michael. Tai-Li has worked with Michael for about 4 months, during which time Michael has worked on techniques for all swim strokes and passed a swim station, a milestone meaning that he has checked off a group of skills showing he has progressed to the next level.
Tai-Li says that while working with Michael, both of them have been making progress – Michael as a swimmer and Tai-Li himself as a teacher. “Not everybody can be taught the same, and not everybody learns verbally,” he says, “with Michael, I’ve been more showing and guiding him through certain skills, and he learns a lot that way. It’s cool seeing how much he’s progressed. A man of few words, he’s a really really cool guy.”
From seeing Michael in lessons, his enjoyment of swimming and dedication to learning is clear. Dr. Favret says Michael has never taken much to the competitive side of swimming, and that the priority with his swimming has always been to ensure he can enjoy the water as safely and as independently as possible. “I’m just so grateful to SwimRVA for including Michael in such a personalized yet normalized fashion,” Dr. Favret says. SwimRVA is thankful for the opportunity to teach incredible individuals like Michael.