Emily Gold, an autistic woman from Bridgwater, Somerset, has achieved her dream of becoming a swimming teacher, despite facing challenges. Her journey began when she enrolled in a level one swimming assistant qualification at the 1610 Trinity Sports and Leisure Centre in Bridgwater. However, she encountered difficulties due to her speech and language struggles, which are common for individuals on the autism spectrum. The Discovery charity, dedicated to supporting autistic people and those with learning disabilities, stepped in and facilitated her employment as a trainee teacher. With their support, Emily completed her qualification in August and now works full-time at the centre. She expressed her passion for the role, citing the potential for interesting interactions as her motivation. Autism, as defined by the National Autistic Society, is a lifelong neurodivergence and disability that impacts how individuals perceive and interact with the world. It is a spectrum, meaning it encompasses a wide range of traits and characteristics that vary from person to person. For Emily, this means she sometimes struggles with speech and language, which prompted her to work on improving her communication skills. To achieve her qualification, Emily underwent two placements and completed training in the water and at the poolside, including leading swimming demonstrations, physically supporting children in the water, and encouraging them verbally. The children always enjoy working with her, and she finds it enjoyable too. Jenny Hughes, a swimming coordinator at the centre, praised Emily's abilities, highlighting her excellent listening skills and ability to support children in the water. She also noted that Emily's diverse teaching experiences have contributed to her success. Discovery, the charity that supported Emily, aims to help individuals secure paid and sustainable employment. They tailored her training to include a theory exam with less jargon, ensuring she could pass it. This success story demonstrates the power of support and accommodation, allowing individuals with neurodivergent conditions to pursue their dreams and contribute to their communities.
