Water Safety for Kids with Autism: 7 Helpful Strategies for Risk Prevention

Water Safety

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How does water affect kids with autism?

As a parent or caregiver of a child with autism, your priority is not just providing the best tools for their development but also understanding the risks they may face and how to protect them. Children on the autism spectrum experience unique challenges due to sensory differences, difficulties with communication, and social interaction struggles. These characteristics can make it harder for them to express discomfort or ask for help when they need it, putting them at a higher risk in situations like being near water; that is why learning and applying water safety strategies are essential.

The most challenging characteristics of autism have led to tragic accidents on more than one occasion. For example, in Massachusetts, a 4-year-old girl with autism went missing and was later found unresponsive in a neighbor’s swimming pool, as reported by NBC10 Boston.

Sadly, accidents like these are far more common than we’d hope. According to a study published in Injury Epidemiology, from January 2000 to May 2017, U.S. newspapers reported 23 accidental drownings involving children with autism. These sobering statistics highlight the need to raise awareness about water safety for kids with autism, equipping parents and caregivers with practical strategies to prevent these tragedies.

In this blog by ABA Centers of Delaware, we’ll explore the specific risks children with autism face around water, share essential water safety strategies, and discuss how ABA therapy can help safeguard children with ASD.

ASD and the Possible Water Risks

Children with ASD encounter various risks that neurotypical children may not experience as severely. Their heightened sensory sensitivities, tendencies to wander, and difficulties with communication can place them in harm’s way more often than you might think.

Wandering (Elopement): One of the most concerning behaviors is wandering, or elopement, which affects nearly half of children with autism, according to the study Occurrence and Family Impact of Elopement in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders. Wandering can lead children into dangerous situations, such as busy streets, bodies of water, or unfamiliar environments where they can get lost or injured.

Moreover, the research indicates that 26% of those children were going missing long enough to worry their families. Among the children who went missing, 24% faced the risk of drowning, and 65% were in danger of being injured by traffic. The likelihood of a child wandering increased by 9% for every 10-point rise in their Social Responsiveness Scale score, which measures autism severity.

Sensory Overload: Sensory sensitivities can make specific environments overwhelming. Loud noises, bright lights, or even crowded spaces can trigger panic or cause a child to flee in search of a quieter, more comforting space. This sensory overload can make everyday situations like family outings, school events, or even grocery store trips more hazardous.

Difficulty Communicating in Dangerous Situations: Children with autism may struggle to communicate effectively, especially in moments of distress. They may not be able to call for help or explain when something feels wrong, which can delay intervention when it’s most needed. For example, a child in a dangerous situation like a fall or near water might not react or ask for assistance the way other children might.

Attraction to Water and Other Sensory-Driven Hazards: Many children with autism are drawn to water, whether it’s a pool, lake, or even a bathtub. While the calming effect of water can be a positive experience, it also presents a risk if a child doesn’t understand the dangers of unsupervised swimming or wandering into deep water. Similarly, they may be attracted to high places or items that could be hazardous without supervision.

Water Safety for Kids with Autism: 7 Strategies for Prevention

We know that paying attention to our children is not enough to keep them safe; we must opt for additional strategies to prevent incidents.

Here are some strategies that ABA Centers of Delaware always advise to help minimize risks in different environments:

1.Create a Safe Home Environment: Start by childproofing your home to reduce immediate dangers. Install locks or alarms on doors and windows to prevent wandering, cover electrical outlets, and secure any hazardous materials that may seem intriguing to your child.

2. Water Safety Training: Enroll your child in swimming lessons tailored to children with special needs. These programs focus on water safety basics, such as how to float or get to the pool’s edge. Make sure your home pool has barriers and alarms, and always use life jackets near large bodies of water.

3. Establish Clear Boundaries: Teach your child about boundaries in a way that they can understand. Use visual aids, social stories, or even role-playing to help them recognize off-limit areas or activities that could be dangerous.

4. Supervision and Vigilance: Always supervise your child closely, especially in unfamiliar settings. When outdoors or in crowded areas, keep them within arm’s reach or use safety harnesses or tracking devices to monitor their location if wandering is a concern.

5. Work on Communication Skills: Help your child learn essential safety words like “stop,” “danger,” or “help.” Even if verbal communication is limited, using visual cues or sign language can be effective in teaching them how to ask for help in emergencies.

6. Prepare for Public Outings: When going into environments that could trigger sensory overload, bring along comfort items like noise-canceling headphones, weighted blankets, or sensory toys—plan for quieter moments during outings to help your child avoid becoming overwhelmed.

7. Community Effort: In many cases, it is not enough for you, your family, and your child with autism to learn water safety skills. You need to engage your neighbors and as many people as possible to understand your child’s needs on the spectrum and the risks associated with autism so that everyone can take action if an incident occurs.

Additionally, you can take the American Red Cross Water Safety Program for Children and recommend it to your loved ones, friends, and neighbors.

Autism Care with ABA Therapy

Sometimes, as parents, we need extra help and, above all, a professional perspective when it comes to minimizing risks and incidents in our loved ones on the spectrum and thinking about their development. For these cases, experts recommend applied behavior analysis (ABA), a behavioral approach that identifies the needs of people with autism, their difficulties, and even their unique abilities.

In addition, BCBAs create customized programs to minimize challenging behaviors while cultivating positive ones. The learning process with ABA therapy works through positive reinforcement and by breaking down the teaching or skill into simple steps for greater understanding and application.

ABA Centers of Delaware and Autism Support

At ABA Centers of Delaware, we don’t just focus on improving behaviors; we focus on the whole child and their overall safety and well-being. Our personalized therapy plans aim to address the unique challenges that children with autism face. We work closely with families to ensure that children not only develop essential life skills but also learn how to stay safe in everyday environments.

If you’re looking for more guidance on how to keep your child safe and thriving, ABA Centers of Delaware is here to help. Call us at (844) 855-8517 or schedule a free consultation to learn more about our programs, your insurance benefits, and how we can support your family in creating a safe and supportive environment for your child.

 

 

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