Accidental drowning accounted for 91% total U.S. deaths reported in children with an ASD ages 14 and younger in 2009-2011.
As we are now in the summer months, families are visiting water parks, pools, and lakes! While these are fun family activities, they can also be dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken.
Here are some tips and ideas for ensuring your family stays safe this summer.
- Teaching about water safety early on and often is essential to keep your child safe. If your child struggles with communication, try visual aides!
- Practice. Practice water safety techniques and routines with your child and teach them water safety expectations. For example, if you have a swimming pool at home, teach them to wait for a parent before entering the water. You can add a chime (or even a bell) to your door to alert you if your child is going outdoors without permission.
- Swim lessons for and with your child can also help. Participate in the lessons with them so that you learn techniques to keep them safe while in the water.
- Teach family members and friends around you about how they can help in case of an emergency, this way you are not alone in keeping your child safe.
- Stay within arm’s length of your child when near water. Drowning can occur very quickly, and can also happen very quietly.
Keep in mind, while drowning can occur in natural bodies of water and pools, it can also occur in smaller containers of water in the home such as buckets, bathtubs, and toilets.
Any person who experienced an episode of drowning requires evaluation by a health care provider, even if the person seems relatively well immediately after the incident.
Lastly, all parents should become CPR certified in order to be able to competently intervene and perform CPR if needed.
Stay safe this summer!
Resources: Autism & Safety Facts | National Autism Association
Little Spurs Autism Centers offers collaborative and compassionate ABA Therapy to children 0-21 years old. Offering both center-based and home-based care, LSAC is excited to empower families by providing them with the support they need. For more information, please email us at autism@littlespurs.com
