March 12, 2024 / Prince Rupert – The first of several “sensory friendly” swims will take place at the Prince Rupert Recreation Complex this Sunday, March 17, from 9:30-11:30 a.m., with support from the Trigon Terminals Community Investment Fund. Sensory friendly activities are geared specifically to the needs of autistic and other neurodiverse children and their parents and guardians.
This initiative of North Coast Community Services (NCCS) is motivated by the fact that visiting pools and other public recreation facilities can often be difficult for neurodiverse children, children with disabilities, and their families, who benefit from opportunities for safe spaces in which they can be themselves.
“Many neurodiverse children or children with disabilities regulate their emotions and deal with over-stimulus by “stimming” – which can involve hand movements, loud laughter, humming, or even happy screams,” NCCS Community Connections Advisor Kelsi Barkved explains.
Many families will avoid public swimming or play times because of possible reactions on the part of people unfamiliar with a happy stimming child or a child who is having a hard time transitioning, making the sensory friendly swims a welcome opportunity in our community.
During the sensory-friendly swim periods, the pool will be set aside specifically for the use of neurodiverse children. This is expected to lower barriers for these children, and to expand their access to this important and fun form of recreational activity. It will also create the opportunity to build valuable connections among the families of participating children.
“We know from our employees and recruitment prospects that many people have children with a range of needs, and they’re not always easy to meet in a smaller community like Prince Rupert,” says Trigon CEO Rob Booker. “We’re pleased to support this initiative, and hope it will result in more local children experiencing the joys of water play in a safe and inclusive environment.”
Additional sensory friendly swims will be held in April and May, with all swims taking place from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Admission will be free of charge. Confirmed dates will be available via the NCCS Facebook feed. Trigon is exploring further opportunities to support inclusive recreational opportunities for local children with diverse needs.
For more information:
Kelsi Barkved, Kbarkved@nccspr.ca , 250-627-7166; North Coast Community Services
Kevin Hanson, kevin@kevinhanson.ca , 778-834-3050; On behalf of Trigon
