Learn how to prevent accidental drowning and avoid dangerous situations.
A recent spike in drownings among autistic children alarmed national autism organizations and health experts alike.
Between June 1 and Aug. 29 alone, 26 autistic children drowned, according to the National Autism Association (NAA). The NAA published a social media alert on Aug. 29 urging the public to search water first when a child with autism goes missing.
Drowning is also the No. 1 cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 years in the United States in general, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but for autistic children, the risks are even higher.
A 2017 study by Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health shows autistic children are 160 times more likely to die from drowning than their neurotypical peers.
Many of these deaths occur when a child has wandered, or “eloped,” from a safe environment or caregiver.
Autistic children are four times more likely to wander than their neurotypical siblings, according to the Autism Society—a national nonprofit working to connect people with education, advocacy, support and resources.
In August, the Autism Society released additional resources to prevent wandering-related tragedies as part of the organization’s Water and Wandering Program.
We interviewed Allie Tashe, the vice president of national programs for the Autism Society of America, to find out more about what parents can do to prevent these situations and what resources might be available to them. Here’s what parents need to know about why wandering happens and how to minimize the risks.
Why do autistic children tend to gravitate toward water?
According to Tasche, there are many different reasons autistic children might seek out water. Water can be soothing for children with different sensory needs because it feels good or sounds good. Children who are soothed by weight or pressure might even seek out submersion in the deeper parts of water.
Or, they might be motivated by a simple desire to go swimming without consideration for potential dangers.
“There’s a lot of different sensory components of water that can be really calming, whether it’s the rhythmic sounds of waves/of the water, or visually there’s a lot of reflective light, a lot of patterns which can be really soothing and calming and the feeling of water itself,” Tasche says.
Autistic children might wander as a way of communicating something they need or want, or if they’re overwhelmed by their current environment. By understanding what situations might trigger a child to wander, parents can take steps to meet their child’s needs in a safe, controlled space.
According to the National Autism Association, autistic children will often go straight to water regardless of its temperature or type—even if the child doesn’t seem to enjoy bathtime or swimming in pools.
What can parents do to keep children who tend to wander safe?
While a family visit to the lake might come with heightened risks for autistic children, there are steps parents can take to prepare for and avoid potential dangers associated with water:
- Practice routine water safety at home.
- Consider your surroundings in advance—know where the nearest water hazards are.
- Consider fencing and gate or door alarms for neighborhood pools.
- Use a tracking device or geofencing.
- Prepare an emergency kit.
- Provide your child with a medical ID bracelet.
“When visiting a new area or when going to a water attraction or event, it’s really important to plan ahead,” Tasche says. “Ask for a facility map to see if you can familiarize yourself ahead of time.”
In addition to seeking water, autistic children might seek places they like or feel comfortable in—such as home or a park—when they have the urge to wander.
According to Tasche, communication is key. Parents can support their child by making plans for sensory regulation and preparing safety or comfort items. Parents should also make sure there is an emergency plan in place and designate who is going to be supporting and supervising the child.
However, even with supervision, it’s important for parents to take additional steps to prepare the child themselves.
“We know that drowning happens at all levels of supervision,” Tasche says. “We have to really focus on skill building, because as much as we focus on safeguarding and emergency planning and preparedness, not enough autistic kids, teens and adults have access to accessible learn-to-swim programs.”
Another way to support an autistic child’s safety at home is by communicating their needs and safety plan to neighbors or local emergency responders.
The Autism Community in Action (TACA), a national nonprofit, advises parents to have an emergency kit on hand to be prepared if their child does wander.
The emergency kit should contain a current photo of the child, current description of the child, what their needs are, how they communicate, what medications they take, what allergies they have and contact information for the family.
The child’s disability and family contact information can also be engraved on a medical ID bracelet, which might help if a child isn’t able to communicate that information.
Parents can access the Autism Society’s Water and Wandering Program at autismsociety.org. Additional resources for parents and first responders can be found at tacanow.org and nationalautismassociation.org.
Author’s Note: While some resources use person-first language like “child with autism,” this author chose to use identity-first language like “autistic child.” Some surveys have indicated a clear preference for identity-first language among adults with an autism diagnosis. Other surveys indicate a moderate preference for person-first language. The author of this story has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
