Pool Safety

Swimming is a fan favorite when it comes to summer activities, but for parents of children with special needs being around water can be something that causes worry. In this post we’re going to go over some pool safety tips from #autismspeaks that will help to keep your kiddos safe this summer!  

First tip: be on the lookout! I don’t just mean when your kids are around water (but of course then too- lifeguard is just one of many hats parents wear). But be on the lookout to see if your child has a special interest in pools and water. Just like their typical developing peers- some kids LOVE water and some kids HATE it. This post is tips for all kids but if you notice your child loves the water, then you will need to be hyper-aware of bodies of water when you’re traveling, visiting family etc. You should even know which neighbors have pools! Believe me, if you have a kid that loves the pool- they’ll notice when there’s a pool around. If you have a child that is at risk for wandering away from home (or wandering towards something they love), then you should even notify neighbors who have pools and fill them in on your child. Perhaps give them a card with your emergency contact information on it in the event they see your child in their yard! It never hurts to be prepared.

Okay, so now that you’ve scoped out the neighborhood and know all the best pool spots your child may have their eye on, what else can you do?

Swimming lessons! If you’re not prepared to teach your child how to swim, swimming lessons are a great step to take to ensure that when they are around water they will know what to do. A quick google search should give you local pools in the area that offer lessons, and many locations will have lessons (or specific instructors) for individuals with special needs! If your child seems afraid to swim, swimming lessons could also be a great way to introduce them to large bodies of water in a safe structured way.

References: https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit-excerpt/importance-water-safety-tips-and-tools

https://www.angelsense.com/blog/5-water-safety-tips-autistic-child/