Autism Swim
Dippers - Ocean confidence for neurodiverse children
Background and rationale
Dippers is a surf education program developed and run by Autism Swim to give young neurodivergent people and those with diverse abilities access to inclusive, supported beach experiences. Children on the spectrum are 160 times more likely to drown than their peers,1 yet 91% of families report leaving aquatic programs due to lack of support for their child’s needs.2
Dippers is designed to address this gap through an 8-week program delivered in partnership with local surf lifesaving clubs. Participants are paired with trained surf club volunteers and supported by Autism Swim clinicians. Sessions are tailored to each child’s needs and goals, using a strength-based, child-led approach.
Dippers is built on a foundation of personalised support, clinical expertise and oversight, and capacity-building within surf lifesaving clubs. Volunteers receive targeted training in neurodiversity and inclusive practices, supporting the development of sustainable, inclusive environments within local communities.
The program facilitates physical activity while also fostering social connection and a sense of safety in a setting that is often inaccessible to young people who are neurodivergent and/or have diverse abilities. By promoting genuine inclusion in a distinctly Australian coastal environment, Dippers is a program where everyone benefits – including the participants, their families, volunteers and the surf lifesaving community.
Outcomes and impact
In 2025, Dippers supported 68 neurodivergent children across five coastal sites in New South Wales. This was facilitated by 185 trained volunteers and Autism Swim clinicians.
Clinical involvement, delivered by an occupational therapist or behaviour support practitioner, played a key role in ensuring each participant received individualised support. Dippers participants were supported to build on their individual goals which included water safety skills, physical confidence and interacting with peers. Through individualised and specialist support, many participants who initially avoided the water built up their confidence by the end of the program. Surf lifesaving clubs reported that Dippers strengthened their capacity to support inclusion. Volunteers expressed increased confidence in working with neurodivergent children, and many families shared that Dippers was the only community sport their child could access. Children rated the program an average of 9.75 out of 10, and 95% of families reported their child achieved their program goals.
Investment and funding
To run Dippers, Autism Swim aims to raise $20,000 in annual sponsorship per location. This funding supports clinicians, volunteer training, personalised participant resources, equipment, and program coordination. The program is made possible through community donations, local fundraising, and sponsors such as Coastline Bank, Bendigo Bank and Qantas.
Enablers and lessons learned
Dippers success to date is thanks to strong partnerships with surf lifesaving clubs, allied health organisations, and a large team of volunteers trained in autism-aware practices. One of the program’s greatest strengths is its flexible, strengths-based approach, which supports each child to build confidence and skills at their own pace.
Like many community-led initiatives, Dippers faces challenges around securing long-term funding and coordinating delivery across a wide range of regional locations. Maintaining consistent volunteer training and building strong local relationships will be essential for growing the program while keeping its quality and impact high.
Further Information
References
- Guan J, Li G. Injury mortality in individuals with autism. Am J Public Health. 2017;107(5):791–793.
- Family/caregiver current experiences of aquatic services [Unpublished survey]. NSW; 2019.
Last updated31 May 2026