‘The Calm Beneath’

This powerful short film follows an autistic girl as she enters a busy swimming pool, where the overwhelming lights and sounds intensify her anxiety. However, once she submerges beneath the water, the sensory overload fades — lights dim, sounds muffle, and her anxiety begins to ebb away.

Drowning is the number one cause of death for autistic children, making water safety an essential skill for all. It’s crucial to teach children how to get into a safe breathing position in the water, and build confidence to navigate aquatic environments safely.

The sensation of pressure as you submerge in water can feel like a “hug” to some children, which is why understanding water safety through methods like the Halliwick Concept is so important.