Description

The Therapeutic Recreation Society of Colorado (TRSC) Section invites you to their spring training event on Tuesday, April 7th at the North Boulder Recreation Center from 12:15pm-2:45pm. It includes 0.2 CEUs. 

This event is a 2.5 hour workshop is called Sensory-Enhanced Aquatics - Teaching Swimming and Water Safety to Children with Autism and will be presented by Dr. Lisa Mische Lawson, PhD, CTRS, FDRT and Kayla Hamner, MOT, OTR/L. Dr. Mische Lawson is a professor and Sensory Enhanced Aquatics Director at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Kayla Hamner is a Sensory Enhanced Aquatics Program Manager at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Session Information:

This interactive 2.5‑hour workshop introduces recreational therapists and recreation professionals to Sensory‑Enhanced Aquatics, an evidence-based approach to teaching swimming and water safety to children with autism. Participants will explore key characteristics of autism—including sensory processing, communication, motor planning, and behavior—and learn how these factors influence success and challenges in aquatic environments. 

Through practical strategies, visual supports, and structured teaching methods, attendees will discover how to create safe, engaging, and effective swim experiences for neurodiverse children. The session includes parent video perspectives, hands‑on pool training to practice instructional techniques, and a facilitated debrief to support skill integration and real-world application.

Read more about the University of Kansas's Sensory Enhanced Aquatics Program!

Presenter Bios:

Dr. Lisa Mische Lawson is a seasoned recreational therapist with over 30 years of experience in the field and a nationally recognized leader in adapted aquatics. She is a professor and director of the Therapeutic Science PhD program at University of Kansas Medical Center. Since 2012, she has served as Director of Sensory Enhanced Aquatics, an adapted aquatics program dedicated to teaching swimming and water safety to children with autism. 

Dr. Mische Lawson is committed to training the next generation of recreation and health professionals, with a strong emphasis on applied skills and evidence-informed practice. Her experience and leadership continue to shape how aquatic therapy and instruction are delivered across a range of settings.

Kayla Hamner, MOT, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist and Program Manager of Sensory Enhanced Aquatics. She specializes in using sensory-based strategies to support swim instruction and water safety skill development. With a strong background in therapy and program coordination, Ms. Hamner collaborates closely with the recreational therapist directing the program and swim instructors to create effective, individualized learning experiences. Her work focuses on helping autistic children build confidence, swim skills, and safety in aquatic environments.