Safety on the Spectrum™

Water & Wandering Program

The Autism Society’s Safety on the Spectrum™: Water and Wandering Program is a national effort to increase water safety education and training across the Autism community. The program works to not only prevent wandering-related tragedies, but to increase water safety skills among Autistic individuals and their families.

The Autism Society of America seeks to develop an adaptive aquatics curriculum that supports instructors and the Autism community nationwide. The initiative focuses on proactive programming, prevention, and improved responses to wandering incidents.

Statistics

49%

49% of children with Autism attempted to elope at least once after age 4

46%

from age 4 to 7 – 46% of children with Autism eloped

50%

50% of parents report receiving no guidance on preventing or addressing elopement

41.5 minutes is the average time children are missing

53%

Of those who eloped, 53% went missing long enough to cause concern

27%

from age 8 to 11 – 27% of children with autism eloped (compared to 1% of their neurotypical siblings)

56%

56% of parents identify elopement as one of the most stressful behaviors they had to cope with

91%

91% of deaths in children 14 years or younger with Autism are due to drowning
2012 study finds children with Autism are 4x more likely to  wander than their neurotypical siblings

74%

74% of elopement occurs from the child’s home or someone else’s home (stores 40%, schools 29%)

57%

after a child went missing, parents most frequently contacted neighbors (57%), 35% called police, 30% school, 26% store personnel

people with Autism are 160x more likely to drown than their neurotypical peers

2012 study finds children with Autism are 4x more likely to  wander than their neurotypical siblings

74%

74% of elopement occurs from the child’s home or someone else’s home (stores 40%, schools 29%)

57%

after a child went missing, parents most frequently contacted neighbors (57%), 35% called police, 30% school, 26% store personnel

people with Autism are 160x more likely to drown than their neurotypical peers

Impact

  • Communities will have more options for swim lessons for those with Autism. Additionally, they will have the training necessary to effectively teach learn-to-swim skills to individuals with Autism.
  • Affiliates will be able to connect families to appropriate and adequate swim lessons within their communities.
  • Families will receive swim lessons that are differentiated and curated specifically for their child’s needs.
  • Individuals will learn how to be safe in the aquatic environment. They will be connected to swim lessons that are specifically designed and tailored to their needs.
  • Instructors will be able to teach individuals with Autism how to swim with the support necessary to be successful.

Resources

Water Wandering Digital Resource Water Safety ChecklistSocial NarrativeSocial Narrative (Spanish)Staying Safe: At the AquariumStaying Safe: At the BeachStaying Safe: At the LakeStaying Safe: At the PoolStaying Safe: In PuddlesStaying Safe: Near WaterStaying Safe: On the BoatStaying Safe: On the Dock
Staying Safe: At the Aquarium – SpanishStaying Safe: At the Beach – SpanishStaying Safe: At the Lake – SpanishStaying Safe: At the Pool – SpanishStaying Safe: In Puddles – SpanishStaying Safe: Near Water – SpanishStaying Safe: On the Boat – SpanishStaying Safe: On the Dock – SpanishStaying Safe: Water Safety – Spanish

Kevin & Avonte

The Autism Society is leading a national effort to prevent water and wandering-related deaths through proactive programming, public awareness, and public policy. The Autism Society will collaborate with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and The Arc’s National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability® (NCCJD®) to provide training and technical assistance to organizations and agencies within law enforcement, public safety, and the disability community. The Autism Society will expand its Safety on the Spectrum™ programming and lead a national public education and awareness campaign. We will identify and develop best practice guidance to support first responders, policymakers, and community leaders that improve public safety for those in the Autism, Developmental Disability, and Alzheimer’s communities.