It Takes Two

The It Takes Two campaign, supported by the Kevin and Avonte Grant (K&A), is a national initiative designed to reduce drowning related to wandering incidents among individuals with Autism, Alzheimer’s/Dementia, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). 

Two Seconds. Two Inches. Two Layers.

The
connection
is you.™

Impact

Prevention starts with small, rapid actions—and the It Takes Two campaign emphasizes the dual approach needed for effective safety and response. By leveraging the power of “two”—two seconds to act, two inches of water as a risk, and two layers of protection—we equip families, caregivers, and first responders with the resources needed to prevent wandering and drowning incidents.

Prevent Wandering and Drowning

Providing families, caregivers, and communities with effective resources on safety strategies to reduce the risks associated with wandering and drowning.

Equipping law enforcement, first responders, and local organizations with the knowledge and skills needed to support individuals with Autism, Alzheimer’s/Dementia, and other developmental disabilities through specialized training programs.

Building stronger connections between caregivers, neighbors, and local agencies by emphasizing the importance of community preparedness, emergency planning, and dual-layer protection.

The Autism Society is dedicated to driving meaningful change by equipping families, caregivers, and first responders with life-saving tools, education, and resources. By strengthening community connections, we can improve safety outcomes for individuals with Autism, other developmental disabilities and Alzheimer’s/dementia.

Impact

Statistics

Research shows that nearly half of individuals with Autism and 6 in 10 individuals with Alzheimer’s/dementia are at risk of wandering, often leading to life-threatening situations near water.

1 in 36 children

1 in 36 children have Autism, and up to half of these children may wander away from a supervised setting.

91%

91% of accidental drowning deaths in children with Autism under 14 are due to drowning after wandering has occurred.

60%

Of the estimated 5.9 million Americans currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, 3.3 million (60%) tend to wander away from safety.

6 in 10 adults

An estimated 6 in 10 people living with Alzheimer’s will wander at least once.

45-64 yrs old

1 in 3 adults with disabilities ages 18-44 do not have a primary care provider.

49%

It is estimated that 49% of children with Autism elope, contributing to an increased risk of injury or death for individuals with Autism at twice the rate of the general population.

1 in 9 individuals

1 in 9 individuals with Autism have experienced a close call with drowning after wandering.

160x

Drowning is a leading cause of death for individuals with Autism, who are 160x more likely to drown than their neurotypical peers.

Understanding Kevin & Avonte’s Law

Kevin and Avonte’s Law, passed in 2018, honors the memory of Kevin Wills and Avonte Oquendo—two boys with Autism who tragically lost their lives after wandering. This law provides grant funding to local agencies to enhance community safety for individuals with Autism, Alzheimer’s/Dementia, and other developmental disabilities. Each year, 20 sites receive funding for proactive programming to prevent wandering and implement locative technology to help track and locate missing individuals.

Learn More 

Resources

The Autism Society of America has developed fact-based resources to help prevent wandering and drowning incidents. These free tools empower families, caregivers, and first responders to create safer environments for individuals with Autism, Alzheimer’s/dementia, and other developmental disabilities. Explore them below:

Kevin & Avonte Grantee Sites

Partners

The Autism Society of America is proud to partner with the IACP, NTG, and The Arc to is proud to bring education and awareness to drowning-related incidents due to wandering among individuals with Autism, other developmental disabilities, and Alzheimer’s/dementia. 

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) is the world’s largest and most influential professional association for police leaders, is committed to advancing the safety of communities worldwide.

The National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices (NTG) is a national 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization focused on advocating for the needs of aging adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are at risk of or who have been affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

The Arc is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and serving them and their families.