Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a range of developmental conditions that affect how people interact, communicate, and behave.

We call it a "spectrum" because every person with autism is different. Some need little support, and others require full-time care. But all deserve access to tools and experiences that can enhance their quality of life.

At mySpa Sydney, we’ve been learning about the many benefits of hydrotherapy for autism, and how our spa pools can help families access these benefits more easily, consistently, and safely.

Before we dive in, it’s important to recognise that autism can manifest very differently from one child to another. ASD isn’t an ‘illness’ for which hydrotherapy is a cure.

The point of hydrotherapy for autism is to provide a tool for families to help their children overcome physical and emotional obstacles and – importantly – to feel confident and have fun!

In this article:

• How can hydrotherapy help children with autism?
  
  • Helps with physical strength and coordination
  • Reduces sensory overstimulation
  • Awareness and safety around the water
• Best spa pools for autism hydrotherapy at home
  
  • myDelight – $13-14k
  • myHotTub – $16-20k
• Hydrotherapy for ASD FAQs

How can hydrotherapy help children with autism?

Hydrotherapy can be a powerful therapeutic tool for an autistic child. Increasing research shows the physical, emotional, and social benefits that help boost a child’s resilience and quality of life.

But it’s important to remember that there’s still so much we don’t know about autism because every person with ASD is so different.

Here’s what the growing scientific research is saying about the positive impacts that hydrotherapy can have:

Helps with physical strength and coordination

It’s common for children with autism to experience physical challenges, from limited range of motion to low muscle tone and muscle stiffness.

Here’s what we know about how hydrotherapy exercises (even just playing in the warm water) can help with this:

• The weightlessness of being in the water makes it much easier for autistic children to move their bodies and relax their muscles.
• The low-impact nature of aquacise helps children on the autism spectrum to get stronger without putting too much stress on their body
• Skills learned through hydrotherapy, like holding their breath and blowing bubbles, also support speech therapy

By building their fitness and motor skills in the water, children with autism are better equipped to navigate the world around them – and, importantly, to feel confident about themselves! 

Reduces sensory overstimulation

We know that people with autism have a hard time separating and processing sensory inputs from the world around them, quickly becoming overwhelmed and distressed.

Because of this, autistic people will often seek out sensations that dull sensory inputs to make them feel calm – like weighted blankets or big hugs from family members.

Water pressure mimics the sensation of a hug or a weighted blanket, dampening sensory overload and helping children feel more relaxed. Hydrotherapy research has shown that:

• Hydrotherapy can reduce signs of overstimulation like nodding, spinning, and rocking
• Children were more able to concentrate, pay attention, and respond to stimuli while in the water

While sensory overload is always a part of life with an autistic child, having access to a calming therapeutic environment – especially at home – is a great tool for families to manage this.

Awareness and safety around the water

Another crucial aspect of hydrotherapy is that it helps children with autism learn how to be safe around the water.

It’s so important for families to ensure that their children know how to be safe around water – how to avoid the pool without an adult, how to float unassisted, and how to get themselves out of the pool.

At mySpa Sydney, we don’t just sell you a spa pool, we make sure that it’s installed appropriately as per NSW safety regulations to ensure that children can’t access the spa without your supervision.

Spa pools offer accessible hydrotherapy for autism at home

A calm, familiar place is the best environment for your child to learn, play, and feel confident in the water.

We’ve heard inspiring stories from customers about the impact and ease of having a spa in their backyard so their neurodiverse children can enjoy ‘water play’ and therapeutic activities in a more accessible and consistent way to feel the full benefits.

We’ve identified two spa models with design and sensory features that are particularly well-suited to children with autism and their families: myDelight and myHotTub.

You’ll see that we’ve provided a price range for each spa. Simple installations will put you at the lower end, and the higher price point captures more thorough landscaping work to make your spa pool a safe and accessible space for your family. Check our gallery page to see our work.

Our expert team handles the entire spa installation process, from navigating council approvals to preparing the site and showing you how to care for your spa so you can enjoy it for years to come.

We’re here to help, just give us a call or book a personalised consult at our showroom.

myDelight – $13-14k

myDelight is a compact spa, at 2100 x 2100 x 890mm. Seating up to 7 people comfortably, the open bench seating style provides plenty of room for therapeutic and ‘water play’ activities.

Children love this spa’s range of sensory features, including:

• 44 x SQR (simple, quick, reliable) jets: Configured around the spa to provide a range of massage sensations.
• Waterfall feature: Offering a fun sensory experience for children who enjoy feeling water flowing onto their skin.
• Blast of bubbles: Perfect for children who like to watch and interact with the patterns and wakes made by flowing water
• LED waterline lights: Offering a stimulating visual experience for children who love to watch how light interacts with water. 

myHotTub – $16-20k

Our unique round spa, myHotTub, is slightly larger and taller than myDelight.

The curved edges offer uninterrupted seating, and this spa features four additional SQR jets in the footwell to provide a foot massage.

Check out this spa’s therapeutic and sensory features:

• 48 x SQR (simple, quick, reliable) jets: Configured around the spa to provide a range of massage sensations.
• Waterfall feature: Offering a fun sensory experience for children who enjoy feeling water flowing onto their skin.
• Foot massage: Four jets are positioned in the footwell, helping with circulation and a unique sensory experience.
• LED waterline lights: Offering a stimulating visual experience for children who love to watch how light interacts with water.

Hydrotherapy for ASD FAQs

What are the benefits of hydrotherapy for children with autism?

Hydrotherapy can help children with autism improve their physical strength, coordination, and sensory regulation, providing a calming environment that supports their overall well-being.

What are the neurological benefits of hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy can reduce sensory overstimulation, helping autistic children feel more relaxed and focused by mimicking the calming pressure of a hug or weighted blanket.

What are pool rules for autism?

Ensure constant supervision, maintain safe water temperatures, and teach children to avoid the pool without an adult, how to float, and how to exit the water safely.

Do autistic kids like pools?

Many do, but not all autistic kids love the water. It’s important to remember that ASD looks different for every child.

Why are autistic children drawn to bodies of water?

Generally speaking, children with ASD are easily overstimulated and will seek out experiences that help them separate and process what they can see, hear, smell, and touch. The sound and sensation of water, especially floating in it, can be very calming for children on the spectrum.