FACTS & FIGURES
160X MORE DROWN
7/10 RESULT IN DEATH
50% REJECTED
Always #checkwaterfirst
ISSUE 1
2.4 MILLION CHILDREN
Statistics
& Evidence
Behind every statistic is a child who could be safe if the right environments existed.
Child drowning deaths in England have increase by 105% since 2019. (Royal Life Saving Society UK, 2024)
According to research drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for neurodivergent children, it is the highest drowning risks of any child population - studies suggest up to ~160× greater than their peers. (National Autism Association, 2024).
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This is not just a statistic, it’s a systemic failure. Children are not failing swimming - the system is failing them.
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The National Curriculum in England legally requires schools to teach swimming. By the end of Year 6, pupils should be able to swim 25m competently, confidently and proficiently; use a range of strokes effectively; and perform safe self-rescue in different water situations (Department for Education, 2013). Despite this statutory requirement, around 1 in 3 children leave primary school unable to swim at all (Swim England, 2022; Swim England, 2024)
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Estimates suggest around 15–20% of people may be neurodivergent (UK Parliament, Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, 2024). Based on this and by applying this range to UK child population data (~12 million) suggests around 1.8–2.4 million children are Neurodivergent.
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Swimming offers wide benefits for neurodivergent children. In ADHD, swimming programmes have been shown to improve mental health, motor coordination, and cognitive flexibility (De Silva et al., 2020; Hattabi et al., 2022). In autism, aquatic training enhances gross motor skills and reduces stereotyped behaviours (Marzouki et al., 2022). Reviews of physical activity interventions also highlight aquatic exercise as effective for attention and cognitive flexibility (Li et al., 2023).
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According to Missing People UK 75,000 children are reported missing in the UK each year.(Russell, 2025)
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When a neurodivergent child goes missing, water is one of the greatest dangers. As they are 2x more likely to die from drowning compared to the general population. (Martin and Dillenburger, 2019b)
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1 in 2 neurodivergent children wander. (Anderson et al., 2012).​​​​ When wandering ends in death, drowning accounts for ~71% (7/10) of cases. (National Autism Association, 2017)
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Drowning happens fast - a child will struggle at the surface for as little as 30 seconds, can lose consciousness in just 1 minute, and permanent brain injury can begin within 2 minutes. They have under 5 minutes to be saved. (McCall and Sternard, 2023b)​​​​​​​​​
Dangers & Benefits
2025
The Neurodivergent Leisure Times
50–60% of children with ADHD face peer rejection. (Hoza, 2007). 51.9% of young autistic children face the same. (Feldman et al., 2022)
Recent government analysis from the Buckland Review (2024) suggests approximately 30% of Neurodivergent adults are in work. Despite the talents and skills autistic individuals bring, many face barriers due to lack of awareness and support, contributing to loneliness and social isolation.
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That's why we are creating inclusive spaces for everyone, neurodivergent and neurotypical to create a community where no one feels, weird, different, left out or excluded. Where we offer group lessons and peer mentoring who turn into life long friends. Where we offer valuable work experience and job opportunities.
Create real change in water safety through our Little Lifeguard Award.
We have created a safe space to unwind and unmask where everyone can be themselves, discuss problems, helping them learn grow, improve and understand themselves and others. Improving school, home life and relationships. As we have shown with our many success stories from The Swim Academy.
What we’ve proven in one small pool, we can build across the UK.
Exclusions & Loneliness
Research by ARCAP (2024) found that 74% of autistic children want to take part in more organised physical activity - meaning only about 1 in 4 feel their current level is enough.
In a survey more than 50% of parents reported that their child had been turned away from a local club or sports facility because of autism (Autism Parenting Magazine, 2023).
Neurodivergent children are 2x more likely to be excluded from school than their neurotypical peers. 7 in 10 autistic children reported that having a teacher who understands neurodivergence would make the biggest difference. (National Autistic Society, 2021)
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​Exclusion isn’t just about missing lessons, it deepens loneliness, the feeling of being misunderstood, isolation, and loss of belonging. Neurodivergent children are not failing school; schools are failing them. Our facilities won’t fix exclusions in classrooms, but our small private swim school already provides safe spaces where inclusion is the rule, not the exception, imagine the effect that could have on a larger scale!
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​The Children’s Commissioner for England (2021) found that 68% of children with SEND, including many neurodivergent children, experience loneliness at least some of the time.​​​​​
ISSUE 1
The Neurodivergent Leisure Times
2025
Neurodivergence: Addiction, Suicide or Swimming?
Suicide Risks
The good news? These risks are preventable. Swimming isn’t just a sport - it’s a lifeline.
Research by Chronis-Tuscano et al. (2010) found that children who met criteria for ADHD at ages 4–6 were at significantly higher risk of developing depression and attempting suicide in adolescence compared to children without ADHD.
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Adolescents with ADHD experience much higher rates of suicidal ideation than their peers (Impey & Heun, 2012), and autistic individuals have around 3x higher risk compared to the general population (Hirvikoski et al., 2016). In autistic youth 1/4 experience suicidal thoughts and roughly 1/10 attempt suicide. (O’Halloran et al., 2022). Both ADHD and autism are therefore linked to a significantly increased risk of suicide attempts.
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By age 10, in school alone children with ADHD may have heard over 20,000 more negative comments than their peers. This does not include comments from parents, or other adults.(mdedge.com, 2008, paraphrasing Barkley).​​
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Studies show that youth with ADHD are more sensitive to negative feedback and rejection, which intensifies the impact of criticism (Babinski et al., 2019). People with high autistic traits felt 60% more distressed by social rejection than their peers and also showed stronger brain responses to rejection. (Lin et al., 2022)
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Research shows that about 50% of children with ADHD and around 37% of autistic youth are victims of bullying, most often through behaviours such as teasing, exclusion, or other forms of peer victimisation. (Bustinza et al., 2022; Longmore et al., 2024).​​​​​​
Addiction Risks
Addiction risk emerges early: neurodivergent children, are at a higher risk of developing behavioral addictions.
Gaming or excessive screen time. Studies have found neurodivergent youth use screens 50% more than their peers (Mazurek and Engelhardt, 2013). Youth with high use of screens are at 2 to 3x greater risk of suicidal behaviors and ideation. (Xiao et al., 2025).
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20–30% of teens with ADHD will develop a substance use disorder, including alcohol, drugs, and smoking, ​​​which is 2-3x the rate seen in the general population (Wilens et al., 2011). Research shows that 58% of children with ADHD have tried alcohol by age 14 (Howard et al., 2019), and 46% of ADHD teens were reported as daily smokers by age 17. (CHADD, 2025).
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Neurodivergent children especially those with ADHD have 3x the risk of developing eating disorders, including binge eating and bulimia, compared to their peers (Nazar et al., 2016).​​​
Neurodivergent teens, both male and female, report higher rates of compulsive or harmful sexual behaviours and are around 4–5× more likely to be diagnosed with compulsive sexual behaviour than their peers (Hale, Murphy & Thompson, 2022).​​
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Teens with ADHD are 2.85x more likely to develop gambling disorder (French et al., 2024).
ADHD teens with substance misuse face 2-5× higher odds of suicide attempts. Across neurodivergent youth overall, addictions can raise the risk of suicide death by up to 8× (Chronis-Tuscano et al., 2010; Impey & Heun, 2012; Brown et al., 2024).
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​​​​​​Addiction is also strongly genetic. Substance use disorders show 40–60% heritability, meaning almost 1/2 of the risk comes from genes alone. (Deak & Johnson, 2021)
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If a parent is neurodivergent and also has an addiction, their child inherits a double risk: both a higher likelihood of being neurodivergent and a genetic vulnerability to addictive behaviours. Children with ADHD and a parental history of addiction are at the very highest risk of developing a substance use disorder. (Wilens et al., 2011).​​​
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Hereditary Risks
​​​​Autism and ADHD are among the most heritable conditions. Studies show autism is 70–90% genetic and ADHD 70–80% genetic (Faraone and Larsson, 2019; Sandin et al., 2017).​​​​
Note: This is for awareness only and is not a crisis service
If you’re struggling, you are not alone.
If you're under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.
Adults Call Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7)
or text “SHOUT” to 85258.
Find support: www.samaritans.org
ISSUE 1
The Neurodivergent Leisure Times
2025
Early access to swimming, can dramatically
cut addiction and suicide risks and save lives!
#followexcitment
#checkwaterfirst
Swimming Reduces Risk
Swimming has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and support emotional regulation in autistic and ADHD children, helping with dopamine regulation, impulse control, sleep, focus, and anxiety. (Zschucke, Heinz and Ströhle, 2012; Healy et al., 2018; Meeusen and De Meirleir, 1995; da Silva et al., 2020; Seiffer et al., 2022; Liang et al., 2022).
Emotional dysregulation and poor mental health are strong risk factors for suicide and substance misuse, swimming can act as a valuable protective activity for neurodivergent young people.
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Neurodivergent youth face higher baseline risks of suicide and addiction, particularly in ADHD and autism. Swimming supports brain health and reduces cravings, lowering overall risks. (da Silva et al., 2020).
A recent meta-analysis of RCTs found that exercise was linked with ~77% lower odds of suicide attempts in high-risk groups (Fabiano et al., 2023).​​​
Regular exercise is linked to a 40% lower risk of suicidal thoughts in young people. (Pflederer et al., 2019; Ning et al., 2022)
One large Swedish cohort tracked from age 11 found measurable reductions in psychiatric diagnoses, depression and anxiety up to 23% by age 18. (Lundgren et al., 2025).
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Belonging to an inclusive community is equally powerful - isolation is one of the strongest predictors of suicide, while community belonging makes you 30% less likely to attempt suicide. (Kleiman and Liu, 2013)​​
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​​Safe sensory outlets like swimming reduce anxiety and depression, two of the biggest drivers of later substance misuse for autistic people. (Mills et al. 2020)​
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​​People who exercise regularly are 50% less likely to develop addiction. (Audrain-McGovern et al., 2003)
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In ADHD, regular physical activity in childhood is linked to lower rates of substance use in adolescence and adulthood, boosting dopamine and self-control (Korhonen et al., 2014).
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Exercise programmes reduce relapse rates by 30–40% (Linke and Ussher, 2015).​​​
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Early access to swimming, safe coping strategies, and inclusive environments can dramatically cut addiction and suicide risks - and lives can be saved.
Water provides deep pressure and proprioceptive input, which calms the nervous system and helps with self-regulation in autism and ADHD (Baranek, 2002).
Warm water immersion reduces anxiety and stress responses, creating a soothing sensory environment (Becker, 2009).
Swimming improves motor coordination and cognitive flexibility in ADHD children, helping them process sensory input more effectively (da Silva et al., 2020).
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At The Swim Academy one child went from being excluded elsewhere to swimming and learning water safety in a calm, adapted environment - building confidence to use those skills even in sensory-overloaded spaces
Up to 90% of autistic children experience sensory processing differences, including sensitivity to sound, touch, and movement (Tomchek & Dunn, 2007).
64% of children with ADHD also show sensory modulation difficulties (Ghanizadeh, 2011).
Loud, echoing pool environments, chlorine smells, and unexpected splashes can be overwhelming for many neurodivergent swimmers (Cosart et al., 2025).
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Sensory-adapted swimming programmes significantly increase participation and reduce distress (Pan, 2010).
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Rewrite the Rules
​Individualised instruction in sensory-friendly pools leads to higher skill retention and lower anxiety for neurodivergent swimmers (Yilmaz et al., 2004).
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The evidence is overwhelming: swimming isn’t just sport. It’s life saving protection for 2.4 million neurodivergent children.
We’ve proven what’s possible in one small pool with your support, we can build the UK’s first network of neurodivergent designed leisure spaces.
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Together, we can rewrite the rules.
​​Large-scale studies of teenagers also show that sports participation is consistently linked to lower suicidal ideation and planning. (Veliz and Mutumba, 2025).
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Beyond mental health, participation in sport during adolescence has been associated with reduced illegal drug and tobacco use later in life. (Brellenthin et al., 2018).
This evidence shows that swimming is not only life-saving in terms of water safety, but also offers long-term protection for the mental health and wellbeing of neurodivergent young people.​​​​​
References
ISSUE 1
The Neurodivergent Leisure Times
2025
Anderson, C. et al. (2012b) 'Occurrence and family impact of elopement in children with autism spectrum disorders,' PEDIATRICS, 130(5), pp. 870–877. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2012-0762.
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