Page 6 - Abacoa Community News - April '23

Page 6, Abacoa

Drowning Prevention And Autism
from page 1

the skin and body may create the serenity
some children on the autism spectrum seek
to relieve their anxiety.
During a National Drowning Prevention
Alliance webinar, it was explained that children
with autism often display a combination of
behaviors including wandering, impulsivity,
and either a love or fear of water, all of which
can pose a significant risk of drowning.
Combined with other noted tendencies as
to elope from supervised settings, have an
especially significant interest in water, and an
inability to safely navigate water, swimming
lessons are recommended as soon as an ASD
diagnosis is made. Additionally, precautions
are recommended for focused attention
and intentional observation at all times
near bodies of water, and special attention
to prevention of children with ASD from
wandering in areas where bodies of water
can easily be seen and/or accessed.
It should be noted that, just because
a child with ASD may not speak does
not mean they’re not thinking things.
Oftentimes, children who go missing are low
or nonverbal, but they know where a body
of water is. They see it from the car going
to and from school every day, but they can’t
tell mom or dad that they want to go to the
water and play. They think about it and when
they have the chance, they bolt.
Here in Florida, an 11-year-old with an ASD related
disorder called Asperger’s syndrome, was found with Family Autism Day from page 1 • Air brush tattoos
waterlogged and shoeless feet, covered in bug bites, and • Yard games
dehydrated after spending four days in alligator-infested For more information contact Officer Zeitz at 1172@ • Sensory stations
woods and swampland. Report from Winter Springs, Fla. jupiter.fl.us or (561) 741-2426. • DJ provided by Royal DJs
In such circumstances, one of the first things strongly Free Activities For The Whole Family • Food trucks and picnic area (Chick-fil-A, Dune Dog
recommended is to get first responders, neighbors, and volunteers Over 25 local autism resource vendors who will Cafe, Bahama Bucks)
dispatched to, and check local bodies of water right away. The provide information on autism educational awareness, • Quiet zone and comfort area
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children works with vocational training, behavioral assistance, social skills, Thank You To Our 2023 Sponsors
law enforcement agencies across the country to train police support, mentoring, recreational activities and groups, Presenting Sponsors: Jupiter Bounce; The Open
officers on how best to search for children with autism. “Police safety, and more. Doorway School; Up, Up & Away ABA Therapy;
have to respond very seriously and not waste any time,” said • Bounce houses provided by Jupiter Bounce Generation Church; Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum;
Manning a member of Team Adam, a nationwide rapid response • Storytime provided by PBC Library System Mint Eco Car Wash.
team of retired cops that helps law enforcement on the most • Music lessons with Whole Vibes Premier Sponsor: ABA Centers of Florida.
difficult missing children’s cases. https://www.missingkids.org. • Sports trial sessions with Let’s Go Play See www.jupiter.fl.us/police and follow us on
Drowning Prevention • Petting zoo Facebook for more community programs and events.
The Autism Society of Florida provides swim lesson
scholarships that help to save lives. Training in autism is provided
to water safety instructors to prepare them for teaching necessary
skills to children and adults with autism. The society also offers
swim lesson scholarships that help to save lives.
Children must learn how to swim as early as possible to stay
alive. Find out how you can help impact this devastating statistic.
info@autismfl.com.

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