Water Safety for Children on the Spectrum

BOYS TOWN SOUTH FLORIDA / COURTESY PHOTOS

Hot summer days are often filled with trips to the swimming pool and the beach. Boys Town South Florida wants to ensure that all children, especially those on the autism spectrum, are safe around the water this summer.

“Drowning in children on the spectrum has long been a concern, but it is a very preventable cause of death,” says Boys Town South Florida Behavioral Health Clinic’s staff psychologist, Marcela Galicia, Ph. D. “Many children with autism are prone to wandering and not always aware of their surroundings. This puts them at risk, especially around water.”

Here are some Boys Town safety tips:

Supervision – Never leave a child unattended. Tag-teaming responsibility between parents or caregivers is highly recommended.

Locks, Gates, and Tracking Devices – Childproof locks, alarms, and gates around swimming pools are essential. Tracking devices help when children are around lakes, rivers, or the ocean. Life jackets should always be worn around open water.

Swimming lessons – Learning to swim is essential for children with autism, and many become excellent swimmers with training and practice.

Teach replacement behaviors – Therapists can help teach children skills to prevent wandering (e.g., verbally or non-verbally requesting permission before leaving the house, hand holding without letting go, responding to their name).

“The good news is that children with autism, while they may learn differently, can become proficient at many skills with training and practice,” says Galicia.

Boys Town South Florida has been providing life-changing care to children and families since 1991. For more information, visit boystown. org.

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