91% of accidental deaths in autistic children age 14 and under trace to drowning.
National Autism Association, Lethal Outcomes in ASD Wandering, 2017
Our Mission
Every child deserves to be safe in the water.
Guided Hope Swim Foundation provides adaptive swim instruction and water-safety skills to children with autism and other disabilities. We meet each child where they are.
Who We Are
We exist because the water shouldn't be the most dangerous room in a child's life.
Drowning is the leading cause of death among children with autism, and access to appropriate adaptive swim instruction is limited for the families who need it most. Guided Hope Swim Foundation closes that gap.
Through individualized assessments, family collaboration, and instructors trained for adaptive teaching, we create a calm, safety-centered environment where every child can build confidence in and around water.
160× higher drowning death rate for children with autism than the general pediatric population.
Guan & Li, Columbia University, American Journal of Public Health, 2017
What Drives Us
Our mission and the future we're building.
Two short statements, written plainly, so every parent who reads them knows what we're committed to.
Our Mission
Guided Hope Swim Foundation provides inclusive swim education and water-safety skills to children with autism and other disabilities, addressing gaps in access to swim instruction and working to reduce drowning risks within our communities.
Our Vision
A future where children with disabilities are given the support, resources, and confidence needed to be safe in and around water, building stronger and safer families and communities.
The Four Phases
Every child moves at their own pace. Here's the journey.
Our four-phase curriculum was built so that families know exactly what their child will experience, in what order, before the first lesson. Phase descriptions are provisional, pending final program approval.
Comfort and trust
Basic Foundation
An unhurried introduction to water. We build trust and comfort in the aquatic environment through structured, individualized activities, paced to the child.
Comfort and trust
Basic Foundation
An unhurried introduction to water. We build trust and comfort in the aquatic environment through structured, individualized activities, paced to the child.
Skill foundations
Skill Development
Foundational swim skills come next: breath control, floating, kicking mechanics, and guided movement patterns, taught with the patience the work requires.
Skill foundations
Skill Development
Foundational swim skills come next: breath control, floating, kicking mechanics, and guided movement patterns, taught with the patience the work requires.
Independent safety
Water Safety Mastery
Critical water-safety awareness, independent movement, and emergency-response skills, reinforced until they are reliable in the moments that matter.
Independent safety
Water Safety Mastery
Critical water-safety awareness, independent movement, and emergency-response skills, reinforced until they are reliable in the moments that matter.
Readiness, carried forward
Program Graduation
A celebration of program competencies, the child's growth, and a confident readiness in and around water that the family carries forward.
Readiness, carried forward
Program Graduation
A celebration of program competencies, the child's growth, and a confident readiness in and around water that the family carries forward.
About the Foundation
A nonprofit built for the families it serves.
We are a small organization with a focused mission: increase water safety and swim accessibility for children with disabilities, with particular attention to children with autism. The work is grounded in adaptive instruction, individualized assessments, and close family collaboration.
Our instructors are trained for adaptive teaching, and our environment is designed to be calm, predictable, and respectful of sensory needs. Every step of the program is shaped by what each child actually needs to feel safe.
Meet the Founders
The people who saw the gap and decided to close it.
Co-Founder
Mushtaq
B.A., Child Psychology & Communications
M.A. Candidate, Applied Behavior AnalysisWith years of experience working directly with children with autism, Mushtaq's work has provided firsthand insight into the importance of individualized, compassionate, and adaptive approaches when supporting children with unique needs.
Co-Founder
Nasteho
B.A. Candidate, Professional Communication
Graduate studies in Applied Behavior Analysis (planned)Nasteho's experience working directly with children with autism has deepened her understanding of the importance of safety, inclusion, and accessible support systems for children with diverse needs.
Why We Started
Mushtaq reached out to Nasteho after recognizing a shared concern about water safety risks for children with autism. In Minnesota, the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” water is part of everyday life, but for many families it also represents constant fear due to the high risk of elopement and drowning among children with autism.
As they began researching and speaking with families in the community, the same question kept surfacing: why are there so few accessible, inclusive, and affordable swim programs designed to meet the needs of children with disabilities? Many families are left with expensive private lessons or programs that are not equipped to support sensory, behavioral, and communication differences.
Guided Hope Swim Foundation represents everything they believe in: inclusion, advocacy, safety, and hope. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn life-saving skills in a way that meets their individual needs, and they are committed to making that possible for families in their community.
Take the First Step
We're ready when you are.
Tell us a little about your child. We'll respond within one business day, by whichever channel is easiest for you.