Special Needs Caregiver Tips and Strategies Swim Gear for Special Needs Children and Adults Swimming Can Be Safe, Fun, and Secure for People With Special Needs By Terri Mauro facebook twitter linkedin Terri Mauro is the author of "50 Ways to Support Your Child's Special Education" and contributor to the Parenting Roundabout podcast. Learn about our editorial process Terri Mauro Fact checked by Fact checked by Elaine Hinzey, RD on April 15, 2020 linkedin Elaine Hinzey is a fact checker, writer, researcher, and registered dietitian. Learn about our editorial process Elaine Hinzey, RD Updated on April 15, 2020 Print LPETTET / Getty Images When the weather gets warm, everyone loves to get wet. But water play can be a problem for kids with special needs. Ear tubes and hearing aids need to stay dry. Swim diapers can be hard to find for older kids. And children who can't swim due to physical disabilities or poor motor skills are at risk. Fortunately, there are products that can help keep special kids and adults in the swim. The reality is that many of these products are more expensive than their counterparts for typical kids. In some cases, it may be possible to get help with the cost. Many items, though, will last quite a while. Ear Tube Protection Keep ear tubes dry and ears water-free with specialized plugs and a swim-cap-lite band. Putty Buddies: These soft silicone earplugs are extra large to completely fill the outer ear and provide a watertight seal over the ear canal. Designed by a doctor for his kids with ear tubes, they're also cute, capable of floating, and low cost.Doc's Proplugs: For greater security, these over-the-ear devices must be properly fitted by a doctor.Ear Band-It: Made by the same company that makes Putty Buddies, these neoprene headbands keep ear plugs in place. Swim Diapers While it's easy to find swim diapers for infants and toddlers, it can be difficult to find secure, discreet swim diapers for older individuals. Fortunately, several companies have come to the rescue with a variety of options for different ages and needs. All of these are options for managing incontinence with swim diapers and secure underwear sized for older kids, teens, and even adults. My Pool Pal Special Needs Swim DiapersKiefer Youth Swim DiapersKiefer Adult Swim DiapersSOSecure Special Needs Swimsuits Solve dressing and safety problems with big-kid, teen, and adult-sized suits designed to snap over diapers, go on easily or float. •SlipOn Swimsuits: Created by the same people who make the SOSecure Swim underwear for adults and kids, these unique swimsuits wrap and attach with minimal fuss. Suits Me Wraparound Swimsuits: Similar in concept to the SlipOns, Suits Me Wraparounds are designed to be worn as one or two-piece bathing suits, for people of almost any size.My Pool Pal Flotation Swimsuit: Flotation Swimsuits are popular for kids of all abilities. As a result, they come in many sizes and styles for little ones. For adults, the company makes swim diapers as well as a flotation belt. Flotation Devices Staying safe in the water is easier with these special-needs-suited devices that make floating fun. Because they are intended for individuals with special needs, they are on the pricey side. On the other hand, they're solidly built and a good investment that will last for years. Before buying, however, be sure that your favorite pool is willing to allow large-scale flotation devices. In some cases, anything larger than a typical life vest may be prohibited (or limited to certain times or situations). Aqua Float Water WalkerWet Vest IILife JacketDolphin Float SystemHead FloatSectional Raft Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Disabled Sports USA. Swimming.