Hayley LOVES water! It is both a good thing but also a bad thing. Any kind of water will do. She likes to swim, jump, splash and dive into water. It is the one thing that will pretty much keep her occupied and calm. Hayley has many sensory issues, so I think whether swimming in the ocean or in the pool it is relaxing for her. When we go to Florida, Hayley could spend hours on the beach. The problem is that she is fearless while I am fearful. Hayley has no concept of the danger of the ocean. She loves jumping into and under the waves. I am not a strong swimmer so Dave usually is the one out in the waves with her. Also, Hayley tends to bolt from the beach into the water no matter how rough it is. She is so fast, it is hard to catch up with her and she just will not listen when you call her or tell her to come out of the water. It is like Hayley is in another world. Another thing Hayley likes doing at the beach is lay on the beach with her ear to the sand at the ocean’s edge. She becomes mesmerized. I think Hayley likes the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, as well as the vibrations.
We opened our pool on Monday, April 28th. I know, it is early, but we have always opened it in April yet didn’t use it until the end of May. We like to look at it and listen to the waterfall. Not this year! Hayley and Hunter has been in the pool 5 times already! We put the heat on and the temperature got up to 77 degrees (I don’t go in the pool unless it is 85 degrees) and they were in. As long as the water is somewhat warm, they don’t care about the air temperature. I am so happy they have been in the pool because it is exercise but more importantly swimming makes Hayley sooooo happy (unless I giver her the wrong color ice pop). Hayley’s school has a swimming program so she has learned how to swim and dive into the deep end. This past Saturday Hayley literally dove/jumped in the pool for 2 hours straight! I was exhausted just watching her. Hayley loves to be underwater because I think she likes the pressure on her head and ears. Even when she takes a bath, Hayley will for most of the time lay and keep her head under the water just past her ears again, for the pressure.
Since today it is supposed to get up to 75 degrees outside, I have already started the heater in the pool. After the kids get home it will be off to the pool. I will make sure I have the right colored ice pops and my book so I can somewhat relax for a while. The only thing is, being in the pool does not stop Hunter from talking……………..
Living with Autism Plus 