Summer is here, and that often means time spent at pools and the beach or trips to the lake. Time spent on or near the water can be the highlight of the summer for many families. For families with children who have autism, water can also represent a serious and often underestimated risk that requires additional planning and awareness.
The numbers are sobering and worth knowing. Drowning is the leading cause of death among children with autism, and according to the National Autism Association, children with autism are 160 times more likely to drown than the general population of children, a figure drawn from a 2017 Columbia University study. The reason is closely tied to elopement, the clinical term for when a child leaves a safe place or caregiver, and what many parents simply call wandering.
However, the most important thing to know is that drowning is preventable. When you take the time to know and understand the risks involved, you are far better prepared to stay ahead of them, and a handful of practical steps can make the water a safe place for your child to enjoy all summer long.
Why Water Risk Is Higher for Children with Autism
Two factors combine to make water especially dangerous for children with autism: elopement and a powerful attraction to water. Elopement is far more common in autism than many parents realize. A widely cited 2012 study published in The National Library of Medicine found that nearly half of children with autism elope or bolt from safety, often without any awareness of danger.
Many children with autism are also drawn to water. Its movement, sound, and reflection can be calming and mesmerizing, which is a beautiful thing in the right setting and a hazard in the wrong one. When a child who elopes is also pulled toward water, the danger multiplies. This profoundly illustrates why drowning accounts for roughly 71 percent of fatal elopement incidents among children with autism.
It may surprise you to learn that almost half of fatal drownings more commonly occur in ponds, lakes, and other open water near the child’s own home or a home they are visiting, as opposed to some far-off or unfamiliar place. Additionally, elopement frequently occurs in the afternoon. This pattern gives you a decided advantage in preparation because you know where the water sources are around your home, and you know what time of day the risks are at their highest.
Build Layers of Protection
You ask any expert on water safety, and they will all tell you the same thing: one safeguard is not enough. It is vital to have multiple safeguards so that, in the event one fails, another is there to prevent a tragedy. Our free Water Safety Checklist turns the steps below into a simple list you can work through at home.
A strong, layered approach includes:
- Attentive supervision. Assign a specific adult to watch your child near water, with no phones or distractions. The person in charge should always be within an arm’s reach of younger or higher-risk children.
- Barriers at home. If you have a pool, surround it with a fence and a gate that self-closes and self-latches, out of reach of your child. Remove toys and tempting items from the pool area when it is not in use, so nothing draws your child toward the water.
- Alarms and locks. Door and window alarms, along with locks placed out of reach, can alert you the moment your child tries to leave the house, which is where many elopement incidents begin.
- Locating technology. GPS trackers, wearable devices, and ID bracelets can help you quickly find your child and provide first responders with vital information. Use these tools transparently and respectfully.
- A specific plan. Make sure everyone who cares for your child, grandparents, babysitters, and friends, understands the elopement risk and the safety rules. Nearly half of elopement incidents happen when someone other than a parent is supervising.
Teach Your Child to Swim
Swimming lessons are among the most powerful safety investments you can make, but they work best when tailored to your child’s needs. Look for adaptive or one-on-one lessons designed for children with autism rather than standard group classes. These programs move at your child’s pace and often focus on safety skills first, such as knowing when it is and is not okay to get in the water, how to get to the side, and how to get out. Our free Adaptive Swim Lessons Guide covers what to look for in a program and the questions to ask before you book.
Make sure at least one lesson is conducted in “street” clothes, since a child who elopes into water is unlikely to be wearing a swimsuit. Everyday clothes are often considerably heavier and create more resistance when moving through the water. So something familiar in a bathing suit now feels considerably different and more difficult to navigate. It is a small detail that reflects how these lessons are built around real-world safety, not just recreation.
Please remember that teaching your child to swim lowers the risk of drowning, but it does not eliminate it completely. A child who can swim can still get into trouble in cold, deep, or fast-moving water. No child, regardless of their swimming ability, should be left unsupervised or have unfettered access to water.
Prepare for Emergencies Before They Happen
Preparation can save critical minutes in a crisis. Take a few simple steps now, while everything is calm, so you are ready if your child ever goes missing.
Get to know your neighbors and let them know your child may elope and is drawn to water. Ask them to call you right away if they ever see your child alone outside. Use a map to identify every body of water near your home, including ponds, drainage areas, and neighbors’ pools, so you know exactly where to look first.
Prepare a simple information sheet for first responders that includes your child’s photo, a description, how they communicate, and the places they are drawn to. Our free Emergency Information Sheet walks you through exactly what to include, so you can fill it out ahead of time and have it ready to hand to responders in the moment. Most importantly, remember this: if your child ever goes missing, call 911 and search nearby water first.
A Safer Summer for Your Family
Water safety is one of the most important conversations a family touched by autism can have, especially as the weather warms. By understanding why the risk is higher, building multiple layers of protection, pursuing adaptive swim lessons, and preparing for emergencies in advance, you give your child the freedom to enjoy summer while keeping them safe.
Start with one step today, whether that is booking a swim lesson, installing a door alarm, or simply talking with your neighbors. Each layer you add makes your child safer, and each one brings you a little more peace of mind.
This blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, supervision, or emergency services. If you have concerns about your child’s safety or development, speak with your child’s pediatrician or a qualified professional.
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Adapting Summer Activities for Children with Autism
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