Water Safety: A Crucial Skill for Every Child, Especially Those with Autism

🌊 Heyyy, BCBA Ruby here!

As the warmer months approach and families spend more time by pools, lakes, or even the beach, one thing I want to stress is the importance of water safety. This is a crucial life skill for all children, but for children with autism, it becomes even more critical. Here’s why water safety should be a priority and how to start implementing it for your child with autism.

Why Water Safety Is Important

Water accidents can happen quickly and silently. In fact, according to the CDC, drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children with autism, particularly those who wander. Many children on the spectrum have a fascination with water, and because they may not understand or respond to safety cues in the same way as neurotypical children, it can be difficult to ensure they’re fully aware of the risks.

This is why early intervention and consistent training around water safety are essential. We can’t take the risk of assuming that children naturally understand the dangers around water or that they will respond to warnings the way we might expect.

Steps to Implement Water Safety

1. Teach Water Familiarity
   Introducing your child to water in a safe, controlled environment is a great first step. You can start by familiarizing them with the texture, sound, and feel of water in a less overwhelming way. This might include playing with water toys at home, splashing in a small pool, or allowing them to dip their feet in a shallow area.

2. Use Visual Supports and Clear Language
   Children with autism often respond well to visual supports, so consider using visual aids like picture cards or videos to explain key safety concepts, such as “stay away from the deep end” or “always have an adult with you near the water.” You might also want to use clear, concise language when discussing water safety and any rules around it. Repetition is important to reinforce the message.

3. Supervision is Key
   Never leave a child unattended around water, even for a second. It’s essential to be within arm’s reach at all times, especially when near pools or other bodies of water. Safety precautions like pool fences, alarms, or swim lessons are also great measures to have in place, but adult supervision is non-negotiable.

4. Swimming Lessons
   While it’s never too late to start, enrolling your child in swimming lessons or water safety courses designed for children with autism can make a huge difference. Instructors with experience working with neurodiverse children can teach water survival skills in a way that is adapted to your child’s needs and learning style.

5. Waterproof Communication Devices
   If your child uses alternative communication devices, consider getting a waterproof version or having waterproof communication cards on hand. This allows them to express themselves in and around the water, making it easier to communicate needs and concerns.

6. Prepare for Wandering
   Children with autism are at a higher risk of wandering, and often, water sources are a primary point of interest. If your child is prone to wandering, it's essential to have boundary-setting strategies in place, such as ensuring that doors to pool areas are locked or using GPS tracking systems if your child tends to leave the house.

Promoting Water Safety in Therapy

As part of your child’s therapy, you can also incorporate water safety into their goals. If your child’s therapy involves outdoor activities, consider finding ways to safely integrate water into the environment. Whether it’s teaching them how to sit and splash, splash in a specific area, or simply helping them feel comfortable, working on these skills during therapy can be immensely beneficial.

Final Thoughts

Water safety is not just a summer topic; it’s a lifelong skill that can be a matter of life and death. As parents, caregivers, and professionals, we have to do everything in our power to help children with autism understand and navigate the risks surrounding water. With the right planning, resources, and dedication, we can keep our children safe while allowing them to enjoy water in a fun and educational way.