Autistic Children and Bodies Of Water

Many moms of autistic kids have told me personally their child would never go near water. They are terrified of water. It makes me cringe when I hear it. In my experience, autistic kids are more curious than the average child. About just anything. They also lack the impulse control that an average child might use when investigating bodies of water. I can tell you from personal experience that my son, who is on the spectrum is drawn to water. Has been his entire life. We had to teach him to swim very early because his grandparents had a pool and even then we still had to keep an eagle eye on him. Just getting swim lessons doesn't protect them. In some cases it gives a false sense of security.

Autistic kids have a tendency to run. Not maliciously either. They could be standing at the front door when something catches their eye. Like I said autistic kids a curious, they will be out the door and down the street in a blink. Shoes, no shoes, one sock and one shoe. Details like that are completely ignored most of the time. When ever I hear an autistic child has gone missing the first thing I say or think is get to the nearest body of water. Enviably they are ALWAYS found drown in a neighbors pool, community pond, stream, etc. every.single.time.

It really makes me wonder how parents can still say autistic kids are fearful of water. My son hated water in his face. For example, when I washed his hair. He didn't like the feel of certain textures of wash cloths. He didn't like the water to be too hot...but he never walked past a pool without attempting to jump in. 

PLANT CITY — A 5-year-old severely autistic Polk County boy wandered away from his father at a farmers market Sunday and drowned in a nearby pond, authorities said.

TAMPA, Fla. -- A 9-year-old autistic girl who went missing from a children's party was found dead Saturday evening at the bottom of a nearby pond.

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. - UPDATE: Riviera Beach police have identified the child who drowned Tuesday as Rayyan Siddique. Family members report that Rayyan was autistic and non-verbal, the police department said.

Sidney Heidrick, a 4-year-old autistic boy, drowned in the waters of Lake Erie after he went missing from his grandparents’ home in Sheffield Lake, Ohio, on Friday.

florida - The family of Aiden Bower is devastated after losing their little four-year-old little boy. The child, who suffered from autism, drowned in a neighbor's pool Sunday night around 9 p.m. in the 4200 block of Sail Drive.

...it goes on and on. Actually 91% of all death of autistic children under the age of 14 is accidental drowning. 

I guess what I'm saying here is autistic kids wander off. That's just how it works. If your child goes missing and you are near a body of water get there and fast. Don't discount the idea they won't head to a body of water because they hate bathing. It might be difference in life and death. I wish that all parents when put in this position would automatically think "water" the moment their child slips away.