Water Safety
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Water safety is a major concern for many parents of children and youth with special healthcare needs (CYSHCN). This concern stems from the tendency of many children with autism, developmental disabilities, and cognitive challenges to be attracted to bodies of water. Additionally, it is important to note that drowning is a leading cause of death among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Nearly half of children with autism are at risk for wandering away from a safe setting. Further, drowning accounts for more than 70% of wandering-related fatalities (National Autism Association, 2017).
Parents are the first line of defense to protect CYSHCN from water accidents or drowning. Many experts recommend that parents start teaching water safety to their children starting at a young age, taking care to emphasize the potential dangers of water. Another common recommendation is making sure that CYSHCN have continued access to swimming lessons. Since many CYSHCN, specifically those with autism, are prone to elopement and/or wandering, taking precautions against elopement and wandering can help prevent water-related accidents. Nothing can replace adult supervision while in and around water; however, having safe and appropriate swim gear, including adaptive life jackets, can provide additional safety for CYSHCN. It is important for families to select the right type of life jacket for their child. The United States Coast Guard has general guidelines on How to Choose The Right Life Jacket. In some cases, an adaptive life jacket might be more appropriate for some CYSHCN. Many options for adaptive life jackets are available, but the specific type will depend on each child’s individual needs. The Safety Store at Riley Children’s Hospital offers low-cost safety products to families. Safety Store employees are trained educators, and they can provide families with safety advice, product suggestions, and educational materials. Families can contact The Safety Store online (https://safetystore.iu.edu/) or at 317- 274-6565. Additionally, The Safety Store website has many topic-specific educational resources available to parents. Educational Resources for Parents of CYSHCNThere are many educational tools available to help parents and caregivers learn more about water safety for CYSHCN.
Social stories and videos can be an invaluable way to help teach CYSHCN about water safety.
Many other social stories are available online. They are also easy to create specifically for your own child, so that it is tailored to your family’s specific needs. Additionally, Indiana Family to Family's Pinterest page has a board specifically dedicated to safety resource information. |
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Programs and systems change often. It is important to ensure that you are using the most current information. Please check https://www.inf2f.org/fact-sheets.html for the most recent edition.
This fact sheet was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $96,750 with 89% percent financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of INF2F and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
This fact sheet was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $96,750 with 89% percent financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of INF2F and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
