Hot summer days often center around fun water play. Splashing around is a fantastic way for the whole family to cool down and get out all that energy. But parents of young children, and particularly parents of kids with autism, need to be vigilant. Drowning is the leading cause of death among children with autism, no matter their age. According to the Autism Society of Florida, they are 160 times more likely to drown than their neurotypical peers.
These are scary statistics, and it’s not just dedicated pool days that pose a threat. “What a lot of parents don’t realize is most children are likely to drown during an unexpected time that they access the water,” Dr. Adam Katchmarchi, chief executive officer of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, tells SheKnows. “We see about 70 percent of toddler drownings happening during non-swim times.”
That’s because kids might wander off on their own, a habit that’s especially common among children with autism. “And kiddos with autism respond differently to water—with their sensory issues, water can be a really attractive environment for them,” Katchmarchi says. “It provides a unique experience, and oftentimes they seek that out.”
Although the risks are higher for children with autism, the recommendations for their parents don’t change much. Experts recommend all families follow these five tips to keep kids safe around water.
Get your children skilled in the water as early as possible so they can support themselves until help arrives, if necessary. The American Academy of Pediatrics says most children are ready for swim lessons by age one. However, Katchmarchi suggests discussing this with your pediatrician first. “Pediatricians can look at the child’s development and have a conversation with the parent if the child is truly ready to begin swim lessons,” he says.
Once they do start, the focus should be on basic survival skills like floating or treading water, and climbing out of the pool. Katchmarchi recommends looking for an instructor specifically trained to work with kids with autism, and adds that they might need private lessons to learn in a comfortable environment.
Any bodies of water around the home can be risky, including backyard pools, retention ponds, lakes, and rivers. Erect barriers and put alarms around them if possible, and ask family members to do the same if your child spends much time at their home. “We encourage parents to really evaluate what water risks are around every environment where the child’s frequently going to be,” Katchmarchi says. “Pools are the biggest risk, but it’s all water and it’s all attractive to these kids.”
Put your cell phone away and actively supervise children whenever they are in or near the water. Katchmarchi emphasizes that drowning happens quickly and silently. “Even lifeguards can miss things,” he says.
Life jackets can serve an important purpose when used appropriately, but experts recommend only bringing out floatation devices when necessary. Because of poor generalization skills, kids with autism might assume they will always float in water if they get too used to having that assistance. It can also make it harder for them to learn to swim if they always rely on them.
“If parents are going to use a flotation device with their child, make sure it is a U.S. Coast Guard–approved and tested device,” Katchmarchi says. “And take your child out of the device on a regular basis.”
Although you don’t want to be on your phone when your children are in the water, do keep one nearby in case you need to call 911. Also, make sure you know appropriate CPR technique for children.
Fortunately, as scary as the statistics are, taking these actions can do a lot to help keep your little ones safe. As Katchmarchi says, “Drowning is 100 percent preventable with practicing these small, simple steps.”
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