A new aquatic therapy program on St. Thomas is helping autistic children build swim safety skills while also boosting confidence, emotional regulation and motor development.
The program, run by JS Therapies, takes place at the beach and is part of their growing aquatic therapy offerings. “Our original aquatic therapy program started on St. Croix a couple of years ago through a partnership with the St. Croix Dolphins pool; our physical therapist intermittently offered 6-week aquatic sessions as a complement to traditional land-based therapy,’ said Julie Sommer, occupational therapist and clinic director on St. Croix. “More recently, our team has offered ‘Speech on the Beach’ and ‘OT by the Sea’ as we recognized the unique therapeutic opportunities inherent to beach settings.”
According to Sommer, occupational therapist Katie Craig created the new program on St. Thomas after recognizing a need for a program that teaches customized swim safety and swim skills among the autistic children and families she works with. “She developed and implemented this program with a handful of her current clients and their families by combining occupational therapy strategies with swim safety education, tailored specifically to the unique needs of autistic children.”
That approach is what sets it apart from traditional swim lessons. “Swim lessons usually focus on strokes and technique. Our program starts with safety — asking before going in, staying with an adult, recognizing shallow vs. deep water, and learning how to float or hold onto a rescue tube,” said Sommer
Sommier emphasized that the need for such a program in the Virgin Islands is especially high. Families spend much of their time near beaches, pools, and boats, which makes water safety an important concern. For autistic children, being around water can bring additional risks, and programs like this can provide extra support.
“Families here are surrounded by beaches and pools, and many parents want their kids to enjoy that safely. For autistic children, the risk of drowning is especially high,” Sommer said. “This program gives families a safe, structured way to teach skills that matter most in our island environment.”
Beyond teaching safety, the setting itself is part of what makes the program unique. This new approach doesn’t just stand apart from swim lessons — it also differs from traditional therapy. According to Sommer, the ocean isn’t simply a backdrop for the sessions; it’s an active part of the work being done. The rhythm of the waves and the buoyancy of the water combine to create an environment that helps occupational therapists teach autistic children important skills.
“The ocean itself plays a therapeutic role,” Sommer explained. “The waves and buoyancy help with body awareness and movement, while the water’s pressure has a calming effect. We use that setting to teach safety skills, but also to support confidence, emotional regulation, motor skills, and communication — all of which carry over to everyday life.”
Although designed for autistic children, Sommer noted that aquatic therapy can benefit many others. “Aquatic therapy can also benefit children with sensory processing challenges, motor delays, anxiety, or those recovering from injury,” Sommer said.
The ocean is an important part of life for Virgin Islanders — not only a source of culture and connection, but, as Sommer noted, also a tool that can help children grow. “Aquatic therapy can target so many skills … posture/balance/coordination, strength & range of motion, body awareness & sensory processing, enhancing emotional regulation, supporting executive functioning skills. Swim safety education is essential for ALL children here,” Sommer said.
Sommer emphasized that the program is as much about building confidence as it is about learning skills. “With the right support, every child can find both safety and joy in the water,” she said. “This program isn’t only about skills — it’s about building confidence, creating routines, and giving families tools to safely enjoy the beauty of our beaches together. Our team is passionate about ‘meeting children where they are,’ building on their unique strengths & preferences to create meaningful progress in their ability to fully participate in everyday activities.”
According to Sommer, the program not only builds important skills and confidence, but also lets children enjoy a playful day at the beach. “As OTs, we adapt everything to each child’s sensory, communication, and motor needs, making the beach both therapeutic and fun. In our practice, occupational therapy always looks like PLAY, as we believe that is the key to true meaningful participation, learning, and progress for all children.”