Why Coaches Need Support: Identifying the Need for a Structured Swimming Training Module for Children with Autism

Introduction: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face unique sensory, behavioural, and communication challenges that make participation in physical activities, such as swimming, more complex. Despite the therapeutic benefits of swimming, many coaches feel unprepared to meet the needs of this population due to a lack of structured guidance and training. Objective: To explore the needs of structured swimming training module among swimming coaches for children with autism. Methods: A qualitative design using semi-structured interviews will be conducted with a purposive sample of swimming coaches experienced in teaching children with ASD. Thematic analysis will be used to extract key themes that inform the structure and content of the proposed module. Results: The study highlights the pressing need for a specialised module that provides coaches with the information, skills, and resources essential for developing inclusive aquatic environments. Conclusions: Developing a specialised training module tailored for coaches of children with ASD is essential to promote inclusive aquatic education. The expected outcome is improved coaching confidence and increased participation among autistic children in swimming programs.