Autism, Water Safety & Elopement:
What Every Caregiver Should Know
Understanding the Risk
Children with autism are at higher risk of both elopement (wandering or running away) and water-related accidents. These behaviors can happen suddenly and without warning, often during moments of stress, transition, or curiosity.
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About 50% of children with autism have wandered from a safe setting at least once.
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Drowning is a leading cause of death for autistic children, often following an elopement incident.
Elopement Safety: Preventing Wandering
Why It Happens
Children with autism may wander due to:
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Seeking something they enjoy (e.g., water, playgrounds, certain sounds)
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Avoiding overwhelming situations
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Difficulty understanding danger
Safety Tips for Elopement
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Secure exits with child-proof locks or alarm systems
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Use wearable GPS trackers or ID bracelets
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Teach safety commands (e.g., “Stop,” “Wait,” “No street”)
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Create a safety plan with neighbors and local police
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Visual boundaries: Use clear visual cues (like stop signs on doors)
Water Safety: Awareness & Prevention
Children with autism are often drawn to water because of its sensory appeal — the sound, sight, and feel can be calming or fascinating.
Water Safety Measures
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Never leave a child unsupervised near water — even bathtubs or buckets
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Enroll in swim lessons early (preferably adaptive swim programs)
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Fence all pools and ponds with self-latching gates
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Use visual aids and social stories to teach water rules
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Practice emergency drills with caregivers and siblings
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What Parents Can Do
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Providers who teach swim lessons:
​Bethlehem Township Community Center-**also offers open swim
Where: 2900 Farmersville Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18020
Call: (610) 332-1900
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Five Star Swim-**also offers open swim
Where: 1597 Lehigh Street, Allentown, PA 18103
Call: 610-351-0017
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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
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Wandering and Elopement
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​Be ready to implement an emergency family wandering plan, click here to print a copy.
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Invest in a tracker if you feel your child needs it.
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Create an ID to keep in your child's wallet.
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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.
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Create a Child Profile that is Amber Alert ready with Community Partner 4 Kids.
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Invest in autism friendly swimming lessons.
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Create IEP/Behavioral goals. Click here for examples.
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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