5: Why affirming swimming lessons save lives: making aquatics safe for all with Antoinette Spear

How can we create an affirming and safe space by the pool for our neurodivergent children?

Antoinette Spear, General Manager of Autism Swim - a global charity committed to making aquatic environments safer and more inclusive for neurodivergent people, is here to tell us.

We talk about the shocking statistics around water safety for autistic children, and how Autism Swim is tackling this crisis by empowering swim centres, educators, and families with neuroaffirming tools and knowledge.

Antoinette shares both her professional expertise and personal experience as a parent of neurodivergent children, offering practical, compassionate insight into what inclusive aquatic support can (and should) look like.

Whether you’re a parent, swim teacher, therapist or policymaker - this conversation is essential listening.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS 👇

🧠 Exclusion is often unintentional, but built into the design of swim programs.

🧠 There’s no one-size-fits-all model.

🧠 Parents should look for swim providers who communicate clearly, ask strengths-based questions, and share upcoming changes in advance.

🧠 Water can be a place of safety, confidence, and joy, not fear. With the right support, every child deserves the chance to belong in the water.

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ABOUT THE HOST 👇

Laetitia Andrac (Autistic & ADHDer) is an award-winning entrepreneur, international speaker, and podcast host.

She is the bestselling author of Light It: How to Trust Your Intuition and Build a Thriving Business. With over 15 years of experience in consulting, strategy, and innovation, Laetitia has worked with industry leaders like Deloitte and Telstra.

Inspired by my journey as a neurodivergent parent, she co-founded Understanding Zoe, an AI-driven solution dedicated to supporting caregivers of neurodivergent children.

Her passion is creating a more neuroinclusive world, where everyone can thrive—whether in their homes, communities, or workplaces.

ABOUT THE GUEST 👇

Antoinette Spear is the General Manager of Autism Swim, an award-winning, international Australian charity and global leader in neurodiversity and aquatics. She brings a unique combination of lived experience as a parent of neurodivergent children and a professional background in financial services and tech startups.

Antoinette leads Autism Swim’s mission to reduce the disproportionate drowning statistics among neurodivergent people and ensure all aquatic spaces are safe, welcoming, and affirming.
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