Even if an autistic child does not seem to like bath time, other bodies of water may appear appealing to them. So we need to remain super vigilant about water safety with autistic children. Here are some swim safety tips to help…

• Remove any toys from your pool immediately after use.
• Install protective boundaries around your pool, such as self-latching and locking gates, alarms for pools, doors and windows, as well as visual aids such as stop signs on pool gates. If you do close your pool for the season, use a pool cover.
• Teach boundaries and pool safety rules.
• Enroll in swim lessons, including one fully clothed, as early as possible. SafeSplash Swim School at safesplash.com lists over 100 locations throughout the U.S. which provide swim lessons for children with special needs; and if you can’t find one near you, you can ask your local swim facility, such as the YMCA, if they could initiate one. The U.S. Swim School Association offers special needs children swim training for swim instructors.
• Start slowly when introducing your autistic child to your pool, to build comfort and confidence.

All of the above safeguards can help keep autistic children safer around swimming pools, but nothing will completely eliminate the risks. So, always remain at arm’s length without distractions when supervising an autistic child in and around the pool, and remember that more eyes offer more protection. So, the more people keeping an eye on your child, the better.

With safety measures securely in place, swimming can provide a host of wonderful benefits for children with autism, including providing a soothing environment, aiding in sensory integration and motor skills development, as well as improving cognitive processing, coordination and self-esteem.