The article describes important aspects of a successful preschool-age swimming program for children with autism.

The authors developed an early-intervention aquatics program known as the Aquatic Nursery Program targeted at preschool-age children with autism and their families. They have been using this program for 10 years and have found that it improved children'??s movement skills and strengthened family bonds. The authors believe this is because many children with autism can move more easily in water than in a gymnasium. Swimming also strengthened the bond between the parents and child because they had fun together during the program. The authors note that swimming also has the advantage of providing sensory input.