Swim School>DC>Washington DC>Silver Spring>Special needs swimming

Special Needs Swim Lessons in Silver Spring

Private, at-home special needs swim lessons. One-on-one instruction for Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, and more – in your home pool.

Thousands of

5-star reviews

200k+

swimmers

2000+

Sunsational Swim instructors

Mobile swim lessons

Private special needs swim lessons in Silver Spring, DC!

When raising a child with special needs, learning to swim can feel like another hurdle – but it’s one that can be overcome. At Sunsational Swim School, we’re proud to offer special needs swim lessons near you in Silver Spring. Our experienced instructors teach one-on-one lessons for children with Autism, ADHD, sensory challenges, physical disabilities, and more. Our goal is to help our special needs students build water confidence, improve fitness and learn essential water safety skills.

Sunational Swim Lessons At Home!

We make special needs swim lessons near me convenient by letting you choose the schedule and location – whether it’s in the comfort of your home pool or a community pool. Our patient, caring instructors adapt lessons to your child’s unique needs, ensuring a positive and supportive experience that helps them thrive as safer, happier swimmers.

Get Started

We cater to many needs

Autism, Asperger’s or related syndromes

Cerebral Palsy

Down Syndrome

Sensory Integration Disorder

ADHD

Physical difficulties

Sensory challenges

And many others

Why are Silver Spring SNAP swim lessons so important?

Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death in the US for children under 14, and in most cases, it happens in just minutes – even when a caregiver is nearby. In fact:

Why Swim lessons important image
75%of children who drown were out of sight for five minutes or less
9 out of 10drowning deaths occur while an adult is present

Enrolling your child in swimming lessons is one of the best ways to prevent drowning by teaching them essential water safety skills

Featured kids swim instructors in Silver Spring, DC

We believe our students deserve the best, so we work with only the best swim instructors in Silver Spring. Every Sunsational swim teacher has a minimum of 2 years teaching experience, is CPR/First Aid certified, passes a national background check, and has a proven track record of successful teaching before they even land an interview with Sunsational. We back their expertise with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Why? Because we know great instructors mean fast results!

Swim Instructor Profile Image: Zayna C.

Zayna C.

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

Swim Instructor Profile Image: Daniel K.

Daniel K.

Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815

Swim Instructor Profile Image: Lisa M.

Lisa M.

Silver Spring, MA 20902

"Lisa is terrific!!! "Terry H.

Swim Instructor Profile Image: Isabella P.

Isabella P.

Washington, District of Columbia 20015

Swim Instructor Profile Image: Gabriel L.

Gabriel L.

Washington, District of Columbia 20015

Swim Instructor Profile Image: Blake B.

Blake B.

District of Columbia, Washington, District of Columbia 20059

Swim Instructor Profile Image: Maya W.

Maya W.

Chillum, Maryland 20782

Swim Instructor Profile Image: Erin D.

Erin D.

Washington, District of Columbia 20008

Swim Instructor Profile Image: Chelsea H.

Chelsea H.

Rockville, Maryland 20852

Swim Instructor Profile Image: Renee G.

Renee G.

Washington, District of Columbia 20009

Swim Instructor Profile Image: Clark W.

Clark W.

Washington, District of Columbia 20016

Swim Instructor Profile Image: Diya S.

Diya S.

Washington, DC 20036

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

We're so confident in the quality of our swim instructors that we stand behind them with our Sunsational Instructor Guarantee!

If your first lesson is anything less than sunsational, just let us know and we can either refund your unused lesson time or re-start your lesson package with a more suitable Instructor, your choice!

Start swimming faster with personalized special needs swim lessons in Silver Spring

At Sunsational Swim School, we believe special needs swim lessons are essential, and we make them convenient for families in Silver Spring. With flexible scheduling and lessons at your home pool, your loved one can learn in a safe and supportive environment.

Our instructors tailor each one-on-one session to your child's unique needs, ensuring personalized lessons that help them build confidence, improve skills, and achieve meaningful progress.

Book Swim Lessons
start swimming faster img

Benefits of swimming lessons for special needs students

It could save their lives

Often it is simply a lack of awareness that causes danger among children with special needs. Our special needs swim lessons educate kids on all aspects of water safety, and the skills they need to survive in a water environment.

Help boost confidence & self-esteem

Many children with special needs have problems with confidence, but successfully learning a new skill like swimming with the help of a special needs swim instructor can make all the difference.

It improves their fitness & strength

Special needs children can benefit from the improvement of strength and fitness that comes with our swim lessons, making them healthier and more capable.

Improve coordination & range of motion

Swimming is an activity that improves balance, coordination and range of motion, all things that many special needs children struggle with. Our talented special needs swim instructors can help your child improve their skills in each area as they learn to swim.

instructor image

Special Needs And Abilities/ SNAP Swim Lesson Pricing

The more you buy, the more you save! Have special funding? We accept grants from third-party organizations to support swim lessons for special needs students.

1 Student

30+ Minute Private Lessons

(1Hr+ Can be divided by multiple students)

18 lessons

$

70

/ 30 minutes

-13%
$

98

/ HOUR

-11%

BEST VALUE

12 lessons

$

75

/ 30 minutes

-6%
$

104

/ HOUR

-5%

MOST POPULAR

6 lessons

$

80

/ 30 minutes

$

110

/ HOUR

*60+ minute lessons can be divided into back-to-back lessons for multiple children

Swim Lessons With Local Swim Instructors You Can Trust

instructor image

What makes our Swim Instructors Sunsational?

Passed Extensive Background Checks

Minimum 2 Years Experience

Current CPR/First Aid Certification

Fully Insured Through Our Company Policy

Patient, Caring and Love Teaching!

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

Private swim lessons vs. Group swim lessons

Learn about why parents choose Sunsational for their Private Swimming Lessons

Private Swim Lessons

vs

Group Swim Lessons


Quick Results with 30+ minutes of individualised instruction

vs

Slow Progress with limited 1-on-1 attention

Flexible scheduling, book multiple kids back-to-back

vs

Flexible scheduling, may vary for each child

Save time lessons at your home or community pool

vs

Time-Consuming - travel required to and from lessons

Faster Progression saves money in the long run

vs

More Sessions Needed Needed to see real progress

Search Nearby Instructors

*If you'd like to work with a specific instructor, we'll do our best match you with your request. However, instructor availability is not guaranteed. If the instructor is unavailable, we'll pair you with a swim instructor who's equally qualified!

Instructor Kyla P. profile Card Image

Kyla P.

Washington, District of Columbia 20012

Certification N/A

Hello! My name is Kyla Phillips. I am a rising junior at the University of Michigan. I was a competitive swimmer for 9 years until I graduated from high school. I currently teach at a swim school in Ann Arbor, Michigan, during the school year. I have taught kids to swim since February 2021, and I enjoy it a lot. Water safety is so important, so Im excited to pass on those skills.

Instructor Branden P. profile Card Image

Branden P.

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Sunsational Certified Since 2021

Hi! My name is Branden Phillips. I've been teaching swim lessons for several years while pursuing a dual degree in Chemistry & Economics at Howard University. I also volunteer as an EMT, as I'm pursuing a career in medicine. I've been lifeguarding and teaching students to swim for over 6 years now, and couldn't ask for a better summer job. As a former competitive swimmer and water polo player, I now teach swim lessons to children of all ages and skill levels. Looking forward to working with you!

Instructor Zayna C. profile Card Image

Zayna C.

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

Certification N/A

Hi, my name is Zayna Clarke. Im 20 years old, and Im going into my junior year of college. I have been swimming all my life, and Im very comfortable in the water. I have been a swim instructor since February 2024, and I love teaching kids. I'm very confident in the water, and no matter what level swimmer you have, I will make sure they are safe and learn to love the water.

Instructor Daniel K. profile Card Image

Daniel K.

Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815

Certification N/A

Hi, my name is Danny, and I have been a swim instructor and lifeguard since March 2020. I am a rising junior in college studying Finance. I really enjoy being in the pool and have worked with a variety of age groups from 3 to 14 years old. I also have experience working with children with disabilities. Ive always enjoyed swimming and am excited to help teach kids to swim.

Instructor Lisa M. profile Card Image

Lisa M.

Silver Spring, MA 20902

Sunsational Certified Since 2018

I have had water in my life since I was 3 years old. Swim team, lifeguard jobs during school and college. I maintained my competitive edge as a "Master Swimmer" during my career. I had 3 sons who learned to swim as they learned to walk. I was a summer camp director which included a swim instruction component. I trained lifeguards in instructional swim techniques. I have been teaching YMCA group swim classes for children and adults, starting with infants at 5 months old.

Instructor Lisa M. profile Card Image

Lisa M.

Silver Spring, MA 20902

Sunsational Certified Since 2015

I have had water in my life since I was 3 years old. I have 3 sons who learned to swim as they learned to walk! I also have over 6 years of experience with Special Needs students, including revamping of an "Adaptive Swim Class". I co-authored a prenatal swim class with a Certified Doula that included In-Studio and Aquatics Class exercises, as well as lecture components. I have been teaching YMCA group swim classes for children and adults, starting with infants at 5 months old.

Instructor Isabella P. profile Card Image

Isabella P.

Washington, District of Columbia 20015

Certification N/A

Hi! My name is Isabella. I am very passionate about swimming as I have been swimming for swim teams since May 2005. I am very familiar with all the strokes and can teach all. I am also a big advocate of water safety as I was a lifeguard and EMT for three years. I have much experience with all ages, especially children. I currently volunteer with children with disabilities, coaching them through physical exercise. I am patient and encourage each swimmer through their journey!

Instructor Christina P. profile Card Image

Christina P.

Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Sunsational Certified Since 2017

Hi, my name is Christina and I've been teaching swim lessons for 7 years with ages 1 to 70. I've also worked with children for 12 of years as a babysitter, swim instructor, camp counselor, and more. I have worked with many types of children, including those with disabilities. I went to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and earned a Bachelor's degree Psychology in 2015. I love teaching swimming because I understand the importance of water safety and want to make swimming fun for all ages!

Instructor Marissa D. profile Card Image

Marissa D.

Washington, District of Columbia 20010

Sunsational Certified Since 2023

Hey everyone, my name is Marissa. I graduated from Howard University with a degree in political science and mathematics in 2022. I've been teaching swim lesson for 7 years. I have experience instructing all ages. In addition to parent-child courses and group lessons, I offer private lessons for students who prefer more one-on-one time. What I love most about my job is meeting new people and watching students make incredible progress in their swimming journey.

Instructor Ileana R. profile Card Image

Ileana R.

Washington, DC 20001

Sunsational Certified Since 2019

Hello, my name is Ileana. a rising senior at American University. I have taught swim lessons and employed as a lifeguard for more than 6 years. I've worked with kids ages 2 to 10 years old, teaching basic water skills to professional strokes and even helping fearful beginners! It is always fulfilling seeing my students' progression in the water as they learn to love the pool as much as I do.

Instructor MALIKA S. profile Card Image

MALIKA S.

Washington, DC 20001

Sunsational Certified Since 2023

Hi! I have 7 years of experience lifeguarding, coaching, and teaching swim lessons. I have worked with infants, children, and adult clients alike, from fearful beginners to those looking to refine their technique and students with special needs. I swam competitively in high school, but my passion is synchronized swimming; I competed for 10 years, including at Ohio State University. I love the water and teaching others its flow. I'm looking forward to swimming with you!

Instructor Miles H. profile Card Image

Miles H.

Bethesda, Maryland 20815

Certification N/A

Hi there! Im Miles, and Im thrilled to be your swim coach! Ive spent the last 16 years in the water. Right now, Im a college swimmer at Carnegie Mellon University, and in my most recent season, I competed in the 1650-yard freestyle finals at the NCAA Championships. I have been coaching since March 2018, doing everything from helping brand-new swimmers find their confidence to guiding experienced swimmers in their technique. Ive taught individual lessons to all ages and skill levels, and in the past, I coached a 150-member swim team. What I love about coaching is seeing my swimmers improve. Im here to cheer them on, challenge them, and make sure they have a great time getting better!

Instructor Gabriel L. profile Card Image

Gabriel L.

Washington, District of Columbia 20015

Certification N/A

Hello! My name is Coach Gabriel, and I have been teaching swimming lessons since February 2021 over several different jobs! Im excited to get a chance to continue to teach personalized swim lessons for your children!

Instructor Dominick S. profile Card Image

Dominick S.

Washington, District of Columbia 20016

Sunsational Certified Since 2024

Id be in the pool all the time if I could and felt that way since I was 5. The love of water turned to speed and afforded the ability to train with olympians and world record holders, earning myself a place alongside those exceptional athletes in the finals of the 2004 Olympic trials. Since then I appreciated the opportunity to develop swim lesson programs for an early childhood center/community center, but I feel a greater sense of accomplishment when I teach, having taught ages 3 to 72 and assistant coached a team of 250+ swimmers in middle and high school. I feel lessons are most effective when we can create a comfortable environment to encourage openness to learning, and use my experience to tailor lessons to each individual.

Instructor Blake B. profile Card Image

Blake B.

District of Columbia, Washington, District of Columbia 20059

Certification N/A

Hi! My name is Blake Brown, and I am a freshman at Howard University. I began swimming at 3 years old, and I fell in love with the water. When I was 6 years old, I began swimming competitively. I enjoy teaching others how to swim so that they can become as comfortable in the water as I am. I have been a teaching assistant since I was 12 years old and have been teaching my own classes since February 2021. Over the years, I have developed an eye for great technique and having fun classes.

Instructor Maya W. profile Card Image

Maya W.

Chillum, Maryland 20782

Sunsational Certified Since 2025

Hi! My name is Maya Wilson, I have swum competitively for over 10 years. I swam all 4 years at a collegiate level. While at college, I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood/ Elementary education. Throughout the past 5 years, I have provided private swim lessons for kids 3-adults. I also coached swim teams in MCSL for 5 years. Swimming has been a lifelong passion of mine. I love teaching and educating individuals who desire to learn how to swim!

Instructor Erin D. profile Card Image

Erin D.

Washington, District of Columbia 20008

Certification N/A

Hi, Im Erin! I have been teaching swim lessons since February 2017 and love helping swimmers of all ages feel safe, confident, and excited in the water. As a former Division I swimmer who started competitive swimming at age 4, I have experience teaching all skill levelswhether its working through a fear of the pool or hoping to improve strokes at an elite level. My goal is to create a positive, encouraging space so you can enjoy swimming while building skills that last a lifetime! :)

Instructor Skylar J. profile Card Image

Skylar J.

Silver Spring, MD 20902

Sunsational Certified Since 2018

Hi, I'm Skylar. I have 8 years of experience teaching swimming lessons and have a total of 10+ years of experience working with children in other capacities such as figure skating, after school, educational outreach, nannying, and more. Most of my experience has been with children 10 months-13 years, and I also have exp outside that age range as well. I love teaching swimming lessons because I enjoy sharing my passion for the water and I love helping people to improve their skills and knowledge.

Instructor Kristina J. profile Card Image

Kristina J.

Hyattsville, MD 20781

Sunsational Certified Since 2017

Hi I'm Kristina Jones. Call me Tina! I've taught & coached swimming for 9 years- children to adults, all levels, including people with a fear of water. I life-guarded 6 yrs on oceans and Great Lakes. Life-long competitive swimmer currently on a masters' team. I teach art ages pre-K to adults. BFA -the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and MPH from GWU. I see swimming as a life skill. 1st to prevent drowning. 2nd as fun life-long exercise . I like to teach swimming because I love to swim!

Instructor Renee G. profile Card Image

Renee G.

Washington, District of Columbia 20009

Sunsational Certified Since 2024

I received my bronze medallion from the Royal life-saving Society, in north London in 1992. I have taught hundreds of people to swim. I have been a passionate swimmer since I was a child, and I have been teaching swimming for 25 years. During this time, I have gained experience in teaching both adults and children of all ages. I have an in-depth knowledge of different swimming techniques and can easily adapt to cater to the needs of each individual student.

Instructor Clark W. profile Card Image

Clark W.

Washington, District of Columbia 20016

Certification N/A

Hi there! My name is Clark, and Ive worked as a swim teacher since March 2016. I love any chance I get to help new students learn how to swim or to become stronger swimmers. Ive worked with students aged 18 months to 18 years old and have taught one-on-one as well as small and large group lessons. Ive had the chance to work with students with a wide range of differing abilities and skill sets, as well as physical or neurological differences, and I always work to tailor lessons so that they can get the best possible swimming experience. Ive worked as a lifeguard, water safety instructor, and swim coach over the past decade, and I have also worked with kids outside of the pool as a math and social studies tutor during high school and college.

Loading...

Are You A Swim Instructor?

Find out how you can become a Sunsational Instructor and enjoy flexible scheduling, competitive compensation and a chance to make a difference!

Sunsational Swim Instructor with students

Search our Serviced Locations

Find out if a Sunsational Swim instructor is in your area

Got questions?

We have answers. How do you support students with special needs?

We make scheduling easy. Morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend lessons are avaialble 6AM-8PM to fit your family’s lifestyle. You choose the days, times and number of lessons per week that works for you. Because all lessons are private, scheduling is completely flexible and can be adjusted for vacations or weather. In Silver Spring, our instructors teach year-round, so you can start lessons whenever you’re ready.

Private adaptive swim lessons help swimmers develop confidence, motor skills, sensory balance, and water safety awareness—skills that extend beyond the pool. For families in Silver Spring, private lessons mean convenience, personalized attention, and the reassurance of a trusted instructor coming directly to your pool.

Absolutely. Sunsational specializes in private, at-home swim instruction, so lessons happen in a familiar and comfortable environment. Many families in Silver Spring find that teaching in their own pool reduces sensory distractions and anxiety, helping swimmers focus and thrive. In addition, swimmers learn to safe where it matters most--their home!

Yes! Sunsational Swim School proudly provides adaptive swim lessons for children and adults with special needs throughout Washington DC. Our certified instructors are trained to work with a wide range of learners—including those with autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, and sensory processing differences—using patience, flexibility, and proven teaching techniques.

Each lesson is customized to the swimmer’s unique abilities, comfort level, and learning style. Instructors focus on trust and communication first, then gradually introduce floating, kicking, and breathing skills. The pace is gentle and guided entirely by the student’s comfort—creating a positive, confidence-building experience in the water.

Yes—Sunsational instructors are certified in CPR and are insured under our company liability insurance policy. Many have professional experience working with children on the spectrum or with physical or developmental disabilities and are certified in adaptive teaching techniques. Every instructor is matched carefully to your swimmer’s needs and communication preferences that you note in your registration.

Our swim instructors travel to your home or community pool. Learn to Swim Guaranteed
with a Sunsational instructor!


Bring the swim school to your pool!ℱ

Image Sun

©Sunsational Swim School LLC 2025- Private At-Home Swim Lessons of America

Proudly founded in Los Angeles, Headquartered in San Diego & Serving All America Business 1-301-235-2661