The Ultimate Water Safety Guide for Children with Autism

[su_pullquote]The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development reports 36,500 out of every 4 million children born in the U.S. will come under Autism Spectrum Disorder.[/su_pullquote]While Autism continues to be on the rise, many parents, caregivers and educators are often clueless about protecting the young from water-borne dangers.

Danger from water doesn’t only mean water-borne diseases but also the possibility of drowning. The condition itself adds to the increase in the risk of such extreme possibilities.

Drowning is a leading cause of fatality for children with ASD, who have a habit of wandering off and are naturally drawn to water. It’s not necessarily the case that the child will know how to swim.

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Ensuring your child can swim

Children with autism can absolutely learn to swim unless they have some form of sensory-processing dysfunction or under developed gross motor skills.

For some of them, specialized swim lessons may come useful. They are well-listed by the National Autism Association and is complete with appropriate contacts and an email addresses.

Autistic or not, water safety lessons are important for every child. But ASD kids have the odds against water related injuries/fatalities stacked higher, which makes it even more necessary for them to learn swimming and to stay safe around water.

Avoiding the Common Mistakes

Introduce a child to the water before his/her lessons begin. A child’s specific needs must be addressed first, so measures like:

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• videos of children taking swimming lessons,
• a tour in and around the swimming facility,
• specific transitional/representational toys and other objects to be used in the pool

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– all are effective measures.

In case your child absolutely hates being in the water due to panic, teach the child the various safety skills to use in case of an emergency (such as falling into a pool). It might prove more challenging than it sounds and an extended period of time might be required to desensitize the child to the experience.

Apart from taking other precautions such as ensuring that a swimsuit/vest or some other flotation device is present whenever a child is around water, you may also utilize occupational therapy and sensory-based techniques. For monitoring, you can you a wearable water-alert alarm but remember, human attentiveness scores over every other form of safety devices.

Ensuring the Your Child Understand what is being Taught

Note: This applies even more to non-verbal children, who can be demonstrated what they have learned.

Social stories with pictures allow them to answer water-related scenarios. Since children with autism typically respond to rules and routines, a clear explanation in a step-by-step method works really well. Additionally, to avoid problems, parents can learn about their current context and environment.

Starting with a Foundation

While its best to always stay near your child (ideally, within an arm’s reach) when around water, it may not always be possible. Whether its a swimming pool or a bath tub, an accident is just a split-second away! So, a here are a few tips to help you dodge past the anxiety.

Big Red Safety Toolkit:

Produced by the National Autism Association, it is an excellent, comprehensive, safety guide for parents with ASD children. It also teaches you how to spot the right swimming program for your child. Download it by clicking here.

Understanding the child’s fascination with water

The reflections and movements in water attract ASD children. Therefore, understanding this simple fact about your child can help you take steps towards educating them properly.

Teach them about the dangers that usually remain associated with water, including polluted water, depth, water temperature, current, slippery surfaces and quicksand. It’s important since children with autism may not always recognize dangers that are easily spotted by typically developing children.

^{TIP: Please be informed and up to date. You must not get the child panicked with your imagination enhancing further the truth.}

Prevent Wandering

Wandering towards a body of water might spell great danger, so place alarms (or chimes) on doors; keep access points (around pools) locked and hang Stop signs on the gates and doors. Install fence/gate around your home’s yard with an alarm and involve your neighbours to always keep their pool fence secured.

Keeping Sensory Issues in Check

Sensory issues related to water is a bigger problem to deal with. It will require a swim lesson program specially designed to address the associated dysfunctions. Children should be eased into it. Starting with a tour of the pool prior to getting into the water is a good idea.

Sights, smells, and sounds matter a lot, so getting habituated helps. An instructor should blow his/her whistle prior to the first lesson. It helps the child get used to the loudness as well as its significance.

Making use of Tools & Props

Accessories make it easier for children to learn the tactics of swimming. For example, children with physical disabilities shall be greatly benefitted by Accessible Pools, especially when they can’t enter a pool via the main access points. For more, please visit the website of the Department of Justice to find out the information on the ADA requirements for accessible pools. Additionally, here are a few props that can help:

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• Kick boards: The kick-boards help keep a new swimmer afloat while they practice leg kicks. For a better grip, boards with handles are recommended.
• Swim gear: These are usually life vests and other flotation devices; the best ones are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and ensure better comfort and fit.
• Goggles: If a child is bothered by water getting in their eyes, goggles can come real handy. However, goggles must fit right.
• Water noodles: These noodles are colourful, which makes them attractive for kids and help them stay afloat.
• Ear protection: If a child’s ears are sensitive, it’s important to protect them from water. Ear plugs are the best options for the purpose.

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Introduction to Safe Swimming for Children with Autism

Just like any new skill or concept, consistent repetition is important if you are teaching children about water safety. These additional teaching tips and lessons on activities are a good start.

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• Teach in a simple, easy-to-understand way: Only those techniques, that are easy for an autistic child to grasp should be allowed. Least number of distractions should be present and lessons and concepts should be repeated.
• Visual schedules: Using one helps immensely. They are effective ways to guide autistic children from one task or activity to another. During a swim lesson, a visual schedule about water safety eases anxiety and increases the chances for success.
• Considering specific needs: This is more important in case of non-verbal, autistic children. Apart from teaching specialized swimming, there are fun and educational water safety lessons (e.g. the Adventures of Splish and Splash, which teaches through fun characters all about pool and spa safety) and interactive games. This is particularly important if you have a home pool and shows how to make progress at swim lessons. You can download the Adventures of Splish and Splash on iOS App Store or Google Play

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^{Note: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Water Safety Education Program is a full curriculum for kids up to the sixth grade. Complete with worksheets and exercises, the activities are divided by grade.}

Additional Water Safety Resources for Parents

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• Water Safety Quiz: The S.S. Safety by the Oregon Health and Science University asks players to assist Lance the Lifeguard by pointing out people participating in unsafe activities at the pool and other natural water bodies.
• Waterside Safety Challenge by the Canal & River Trust presents several games to help teach children how to stay safe around canals and rivers. Safety Snap is one such memory-based game that asks players to match water safety hazards and Hazard Help quizzes players about the right decisions in case of water-related emergencies.
• Respect the Water from the Royal National Lifeboat Association provides a variety of lessons and activities to teach children about the dangers that stay associated with water.
• Kids Zone by Australia’s Royal Life Saving Society teaches kids about water safety through Spot the Dangers on the Beach, All Aboard and Risky Business through entertaining activities.
• Water Safety Games by LovetoKnow.com offers water safety lessons with games like Red Light Green Light. It allows children to try out all they have learned in their swim lessons.

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