Swimming pool misbehaving

[decdec]

My brother is a 16 year old with down syndrome, his favorite activity is swimming. He goes 2-3 times per week but on 90% of occasions we have difficulty removing him from the pool. He is very strong and will hold onto the bar at the side of the pool and do anything not to leave. It will take 3 people to get him out sometimes. He is a very sociable young man and loves interaction but in the pool he likes to be alone and will push you away if you try to play with him. Can you please give me any suggestions to improve his interaction in the swimming pool and help minimise this behaviour. Your help would be hugely appreciated

[waggles27]

my daughter is 16 years old, and we have the same problems, getting her out, the lifeguards at our pool will bring her out, and she loves it, all the attention...As regards to the playing on his own, my daughter is the same, will talk to herself, as if in a play, and will eye up the lifeguards at the same time. Its not easy, but at least hes enjoying himself, good luck

[cheesebabe]

My daughter has had the same issues. I have had literally had to jump into the pool to get her out. Sometimes in my jeans. I have learned, that a positive reward system works really well. I tell her we will stop for a sundae on the way home or she gets a new CD
(she loves her music). We talk about it before we get there and then I remind her a couple times, and when we are ready to go...mind you..it doesn't always work...and those days, she comes home and she has to fold laundry or do dishes while the other kids are playing. Be consistent...they know when you are full of it! (-:

[decdec]

Thanks for your feedback and suggestions, any ideas that could help are very much appreciated. My brother has moderate learning disabilities and A.D.D. He is non vocal but has limited communication with sign language. If we were to leave him for any length on his own he would be liable to exit through an emergency exit or do something that could potentially harm him. We will try offer rewards for leaving and see how that works. Any other suggestions from people reading this would be great,

Thanks again.

[Clamity2]

Another Idea is to talk to him about this before you go swimming. Ask him to come up with an idea of how it would be easier for him to leave the pool. You could have a goal of 3 peaceful pool departures =  popcorn and high C party or whatever he comes up with for the reward. I dont like to punish my child but I have to teach him there are good choices and bad ones. We lose something for bad choices. Some of the children I work with (my son also has DS)  will respond to counting. Others would let you count to billions. Some like money, computer time. hikes, being first at an activity like bowling.

[SimplyStar]

2 suggestions,   walk away and let him leave on his own   get clear away so he cannot see you.  if he has to be taken to the pool by car, tell him you are leaving and that he will have to get home on his own, but just let him figure this out himself, this type of behavior is fairly comman,   2,  tell him he cannot go again unless he is will be willing to get out.  yes they are very strong, but since he likes to swim,  which in it's self is very good for him, keeps weight down, and helps the heart, it needs to be encouraged.  My son also likes to swim, he has several Gold medals from special Olympics.  sometimes we use a timer,to reinforce a behavior,  make sure he knows just what it is for, he has this much time to swim, and then it is time to go. Be sure and praise him when he does get out on his own at the end of the specified time. If he has a special treat waiting for him when he performs this task, then make sure he gets it, it can also be used to tell him , that it cannot be given until he shows he can do this on his own.  these kids want and accept independance,  for it to become an acceptable thing, be patient.