It's very common for people diagnosed with Autism to be fascinated and drawn to water. This has led to  many drownings. A combination of taking precautions and teaching safety can help lessen the chances of your loved one being hurt.

 

I started my daughter in a "mommy and me" swim class at 6 months old before her Autism diagnosis because we had an in-ground pool. We also taught her how to climb out of the pool. We put a "hard to reach" lock on the back door and an alarm system that would sound if the back door was opened. My daughter continued to take private swimming lessons and her instructor used  a laminated picture directions to help her understand what they would work on in class.

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Swim lesson providers:​

Bethlehem Township Community Center-**also offers open swim

Where: 2900 Farmersville Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18020

Call: (610) 332-1900

​Website

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Five Star Swim-**also offers open swim

Where: 1597 Lehigh Street, Allentown, PA 18103

Call: 610-351-0017

Website

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​Swim-In Zone (specializes in non-verbal/children with limited verbal skills)  **also offers open swim

Where: 4355 Saucon Creek Rd. Center Valley, PA 18034

Call: 610.625.4848

Form for special needs

Website

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Wandering and Elopement

​​The dangers with wandering include falls, traffic injuries, accidental drowning, exposure, etc. Unfortunately, parents have expressed they've received little guidance from professionals on this life/death issue. Some children wander because something catches their attention like water or they are over stimulated and seeking to escape.  The nicer weather presents a higher chance for elopement as families spend more time outside, away from home, on vacation in unfamiliar settings/routine, etc. When considering camps, ask the camp about staff to camper ratio and openly discuss safety concerns. Even under the best of circumstances, it can happen at a moments notice.

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Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

1. ​Be ready to implement an emergency family wandering plan, click here to print a copy.

2.  Invest in a tracker if you feel your child needs it.

3.  Create an ID to keep in your child's wallet.

4.  If you have a non-verbal or child with limited verbal skills, order the Yellow Dot sticker and attached to your window to alert emergency crews in case of an accident.

5.  Create a Child Profile that is Amber Alert ready with Community Partner 4 Kids.

6.  Invest in autism friendly swimming lessons.

7. Create IEP/Behavioral goals. Click here for examples.

 

Safety with First Responders

Yellow Dot: This program assists citizens in the "golden hour" of emergency care following a traffic accident when they may not be able to communicate their needs themselves. After filling out the online form, PennDot will mail you a packet. Placing a Yellow Dot decal in your vehicle's rear window alerts first responders to check your glove compartment for vital information to ensure you receive the medical attention you need. For more information, click here.

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Make it an IEP Goal

99 Community Safety and Transportation IEP Goals

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Tracking and Monitoring Safety

​AngelSense has a pending patent GPS technology for tracking and monitoring children with special needs. This company only hires parents with special needs to do their customer service. This is a device that physically gets attached inside a pants pocket or around the waist will allow you to monitor where your child is at all time. It can be disabled during school hours. The AngelCall is a two way voice in which you can contact your child to check in without having them to pick up the phone.

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Amber Alert GPS is an award winning GPS technology. They provide a number of states with their Law Enforcement Alerting Portal (L.E.A.P.) technology to issue AMBER Alerts at no cost. It's a wearable product that is water resistant and compatible with Android and iOS technology.

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I can't afford it, what are my options?

Reach out to your primary care physician's (PCP) office, developmental pediatrician or whomever follows your child's care. Ask for him or her to submit a letter of medical necessity to your insurance company so the patient can be reimbursed.

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Identification: Teach your child carry a wallet and how to use an ID card.

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Through a group effort in Pittsburgh, these Autism ID Cards were designed to be kept in the person's wallet and help with identification for First Responders.

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If I Need Help is a company that sells tags that attach to a child's shoelaces for kids that don't carry wallets.