Palm Beach County, Fla. (June 24, 2024): Boys Town South Florida knows that hot summer days are often filled with trips to the swimming pool and the beach for families here in sunny South Florida. As kids are out for summer, Boys Town South Florida shares that special care needs to be taken to ensure that all children, especially those on the autism spectrum, are safe around water.
“Drowning in children on the spectrum has long been a concern, but it is a very preventable cause of death,” said Boys Town South Florida Behavioral Health Clinic’s staff psychologist, Marcela Galicia, Ph. D. “Many children with autism are prone to wandering and not always aware of their surroundings. This puts them at-risk, especially around water, and that is why supervision, along with teaching and practicing important safety skills, are so important.”
Here are some safety tips from Boys Town to enable families of children on the spectrum to enjoy a safe and happy summer that includes water-related fun:
· Supervision – Never leave a child unattended and make sure that they are fully supervised at all times. This can be challenging, so tag-teaming the responsibility between parents or caregivers is highly recommended.
· Locks, Gates, and Tracking Devices—Childproof locks, alarms, and gates around swimming pools are imperative. Tracking devices are also a good idea, especially when children are around lakes, rivers, or the ocean, and life jackets should always be worn around open water.
· Swimming lessons – Enroll your child in swimming lessons. Learning to swim is essential for children with autism, and many become excellent swimmers with training and practice.
· Teach replacement behaviors – If needed, therapists can help you teach your child skills that can prevent wandering/elopement (e.g., verbally or non-verbally requesting permission before leaving the house, hand holding without letting go, responding to their name, waiting, etc.).
“The good news is that children with autism, while they may learn differently, can become proficient at many skills with training and practice,” said Galicia. “Therapy also can be a big help in keeping kids with autism safe, by helping them to understand the dangers of wandering and the importance of always asking for permission before setting out on their own.”
For more information, visit Behavioral Health | Boys Town South Florida.
About Boys Town South Florida:
For over a century, Boys Town has been a beacon of hope, transforming the lives of America’s children and families through innovative youth, research, and healthcare programs. Boys Town South Florida has been providing life-changing care to area children and families since 1991. Our programs and services are part of the Boys Town national network and include the organization’s research-proven methods, which ensure that troubled children and families across the country receive the right care, at the right time, in the right way. You can find more information about Boys Town online at www.boystown.org.