Aquatic safety for individuals with autism spectrum disorders

Individuals with autism syndrome disorder (ASD) may exhibit a variety of charac-teristics that put them at increased risk for severe injury or death by drowning in an aquatic setting. Awareness of these characteristics is the first step in providing appropriate safety measures. This article describes these characteristics and details what makes the aquatic environment a particularly enticing and dangerous venue for individuals with ASD. Specific recommendations are made for mitigating dangers as well as providing safe and appropriate situations to enable individuals with autism to enjoy and benefit from safe engagement in aquatics.