Sunday was the second-annual "All-Inclusive Swimming Day" at the Wilton YMCA – giving children with special needs, specifically those with autism, lessons on how to be safe in the pool.

According to the National Autism Association, children on the spectrum are 160 times more likely to drown. Accidental drowning is the leading cause of death for children with autism.

"They're our most fragile, vulnerable population around the water because of impulsivity, because of a fascination with the water," said Ailene Tisser, the co-owner of Swim Angelfish, which helped put on the program.

"They are just so curious, that ‘no’ doesn't always mean ‘no’ to them," added Linda Bedard, the director of EQUIP Rehabilitation at Quinnipiac University, which also helped out.

But Tisser says despite the concerns, "these kids are capable of learning to swim, if you just understand what problem they're having."

That mindset is why Swim Angelfish worked to put on the program, featuring instructors who are specifically trained to teach kids with special needs.

"They're really, really good at redirecting, and just taking every moment in the lesson and turning it into a learning opportunity," said Nikki Chenkus, the parent of a student getting lessons.

A lot of the time for instructors, teaching children on the spectrum means being extra active and visual. They worked on establishing a routine involving clapping and touching their head, shoulders, knees and toes before getting in the water.

Once they get in the water, instructors worked on comfort and familiarity - especially, when it comes to grabbing flotation devices.

"Some of these kids - because they have some sensory issues, they don't even want to reach for a tube, so we want to get them comfortable," said Bedard.

While children got more comfortable, parents admitted it helped put them at ease as well, with many saying they had seen improvements.

"When [my two children] first came, they didn't even want to get in the water, and now you can't even get them out really," laughed Christian Ebermayer.

"I have taken kids that have been petrified to step in the pool to getting gold medals in the Special Olympics. Anything is possible if you understand what the underlying problem is," said Tisser.

Swing Angelfish offers both private and group lessons.