Another Summit session announced: Adapting Aquatics To Create Great Experiences For Neurodiverse Participants

Following the announcement of a new strategic partnership with Neurodiverse Sport, Swim England is set to take conversations around neurodiversity further with its ‘Adapting Aquatics to Create Great Experiences for Neurodiverse Participants’ workshop, set within tat The One Swim England Summit, on Thursday 19 March 2026.

With neurodiversity affecting up to four in ten children, it is increasingly recognised as a significant consideration for swimming teachers and for everyone working within the aquatics landscape. Recognising that cognitive conditions, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia do not represent a deficit, but they instead reflect different ways of thinking and processing information that can be empowering when individuals are met with understanding, adaptable approaches and meaningful support.

Committed to creating great experiences in water for all, for life, Swim England believes that it is essential for everyone working within the industry to highlight, discuss and learn more about this important topic, to enable better experiences for neurodiverse participants, and broadening participation.

That’s why, at The One Swim England Summit, neurodivergent champions and leading experts will join Swim England’s Alex Barrett, National Participation & Growth Manager, and Lorna Goldie, National Aquatic Competency Manager, to explore how we can strengthen neuro inclusive practices across the aquatics sector. Contributing to the workshop will be:

• Caragh McMurtry – CEO of Neurodiverse Sport and Olympian, bringing lived experience and practical guidance, highlighting how sport environments can adapt and embrace neurodivergent strengths to help young people thrive.
• Alison Bell – Director of SwimPix, sharing expertise on how visual tools and communication resources can support learning and develop confidence in the pool.
• Kelly Fellows – Development Manager for Inclusion at Youth Sport Trust, offering insights from wider youth sport on creating inclusive and empowering experiences for all young people.

What to expect from this session

Certain forms of neurodiversity can involve sensory sensitivities that may be heightened in pool environments, including loud noises, bright lighting and busy spaces. With that comes various considerations to ensure swimming teachers have the support, guidance and practical resources that enable neurodiverse participants to become competent and confident swimmers. Therefore, the workshop will cover:

• The barriers neurodivergent swimmers face, including the sensory-triggering elements while poolside, different learning techniques, and more.
• Practical, realistic adaptations teachers, coaches, operators, and even parents can implement to make sure children remain in swimming lessons, more children begin participating and generally feel confident learning to swim.
• Hear lived and practical perspectives that challenge assumptions and highlight what truly makes environments neurodivergent-friendly.
• How meeting the needs of neurodivergent swimmers enhances experiences for every swimmer, creating calmer and more effective learning environments.

The workshop forms part of Swim England’s long-term commitment to making aquatics more inclusive, which has been supported by its partnership with Neurodiverse Sport and the launch of a new national survey that will explore the lived experience of neurodiverse children and their families.

Join us at the One Swim England Summit, on Thursday 19 March 2026, to learn how adapting aquatics can create great experiences for neurodiverse participants and aiding in broadening participation: The One Swim England Summit – Swim England

Get involved in our survey

Are you a parent, carer or swimming teacher involved in a learn to swim programme? Take part in the survey before Monday 23 February 2026 and help shape more inclusive swimming lessons:

👉 Teachers – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/swimteacher
👉 Parents – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/swimparents

Organisations and partners with access to these audiences are also encouraged to share the surveys through their networks and channels to help ensure a wide and representative range of voices are heard.