Autism and the Dangers of Water

For reasons not entirely clear, individuals with autism seem quite drawn to water. This BBC article from 2012 details how a lost 28 year old man with autism was found just in time when the search concentrated on a nearby river. A more recent article out of Kansas City has a more tragic outcome.

Children with autism often lack the ability to detect danger and dangerous circumstances. They are often drawn to moving cars, the edge of a steep hill and often, deep water. This article out of Kansas City details the escape of a 5 year-old boy through a small window, found a short time later unresponsive in a pond. Unfortunately, he passed just a short time later.

Parents and caregivers of those with autism have long observed the relationship these individuals seem to have with water. However, these children often like to run away and it takes only a short period of time before tragedy can strike. The article reminds individuals caring for someone with autism to have them learn water-safety skills whenever possible, adding “The Autism Society of the Heartland hopes to create a comprehensive campaign on water safety, beyond the swim lessons. They want to train local emergency personnel to react differently when looking for a child with autism; to begin their searches at the closest body of water. The group believes it’s a change that will save the lives of children like Mason.”

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Gregory Ruel, Portland, Maine

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