Summer Water Safety Tips

Keeping all kids safe around water is incredibly important. Autistic children have an additional risk around water. Drowning is a leading cause of death for autistic children. Here are essential safety strategies:

1. Teach Water Safety Early

• Start swim lessons as early as possible with instructors experienced in working with autistic children.

• Consider adaptive swim programs designed for neurodivergent kids (like YMCA adaptive swim programs).

• Include lessons on understanding water rules (e.g., no running near pools, asking before entering).

  
  

2. Make Sure Water Isn't Accessible at Home

• Pools: Install tall fencing with self-latching gates.

• Doors/Windows: Use alarms or locks if you're near a lake, pool, pond, or ocean.

  
  

3. Build Awareness of Elopement Risks

• Autistic children may wander toward water due to sensory attraction. Teach them what water is and how to stay safe around it.

• Alert neighbors and first responders that your child may wander.

  
  

4. Practice Water Safety Rules Repeatedly

• Role play water safety

• Use social stories or visual aids to teach:

  • “Ask before entering water”

  • “Wear a life vest”

  • “Stay where you can touch the bottom”

    
    

5. Never Leave Them Unsupervised

• Even if they can swim, always provide active, close supervision.

• Be within arm's reach—especially in bathtubs, pools, or beaches.

  
  

6. Choose Sensory-Friendly Environments

• Some autistic kids are overwhelmed by loud or crowded pools. Look for quieter swim times or adaptive aquatics programs.

  
  

7. Practice Emergency Responses

• Teach your child how to float, call for help, and exit the pool.

• Parents and caregivers should learn CPR and basic water rescue techniques.

• Create a safety plan and share it with family, teachers, babysitters, etc.

  
  

8. Label and Plan

• Use waterproof ID bracelets with emergency contacts.

• GPS Trackers: Consider wearable GPS devices for kids prone to wandering.

Made by ChatGPT