Australian Swim School

Tell us a bit about you and your background…

My name is Daniel Fazio, and I have been teaching swimming for 10 years. I come from Geelong, a beautiful city located 25 km from some of Australia’s finest beaches. From a young age, I developed a passion for water, spending my childhood swimming and water skiing with my family in lakes, rivers, and the ocean.

I hold qualifications from Austswim and as a lifeguard. Before moving to Thailand, I was a personal trainer and swimming teacher, successfully running my own business. I also spent a year working at Geelong College in Australia.

Upon arriving in Thailand, I began working as a swim teacher at an institute. In 2021, I decided to establish my own swimming business, offering an Australian swimming program in Asia. We are proud to be the only Swim and Survive program outside Victoria, Australia.

My journey with Autism Swim began after one of my junior students, whom I had been teaching for three years, was diagnosed with autism. This motivated me to complete the Autism Swim course, and I am now in my second year as a certified Autism Swim instructor. Recently, we welcomed our second autistic student, and it has been incredibly gratifying to teach and learn from these wonderful kids. Their presence has positively influenced our regular sessions.

Why did you choose to become Autism Swim Approved and what are the greatest benefits you’ve found since doing so?

I chose to become Autism Swim Approved because of my commitment to inclusivity and providing specialized support for all swimmers. I recognized the unique challenges faced by individuals with autism and wanted to create a safe, supportive, and understanding environment for them to learn and enjoy swimming.

Autism Swim offers a comprehensive course that is available online, I am receiving ongoing support and training. This enhances my ability to provide personalized instruction, equipping me with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively teach and support swimmers with autism.

What sort of feedback have you received since putting the skills you learned into practice?

Since putting the skills I learned into practice, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Parents have expressed their appreciation for the tailored approach and the patience demonstrated in the lessons. One parent shared, “Teacher Daniel is amazing. He was perfect to teach our autistic son to swim. He was patient, understanding, and empathetic to the slower development pace that our son needed. He kept his student’s enthusiasm up while teaching important lessons. Great Teacher, Great School, Great Students. Thumbs Up!”

It’s incredibly rewarding to hear such feedback, as it reinforces the positive impact of inclusive teaching methods and the importance of creating a supportive learning environment for all students.

Click here to view Australian Swim School’s Google Reviews. 

What advice can you give to other aquatic providers looking to become more inclusive?

My primary piece of advice for other aquatic providers is to deeply understand the unique needs of each swimmer. Autism is a spectrum, and every individual has different sensory sensitivities and learning styles. Taking the time to learn about each swimmer’s preferences and requirements can greatly enhance their experience.

Specialized training is also crucial. Pursuing certifications in autism and special needs not only improves your skill set but also shows your dedication to providing an inclusive environment. This training equips you with strategies to effectively support swimmers with various needs.