1. Safer Water, Response, Kids and
Adults with Autism
By Tammy Anderson, Henry Tirado, San Diego Sheriff’s Dept.
Ralph Carrasquillo, Captain San Diego Fire-Rescue Dept.

2. Here are a few reasons why
Aaron Steele
Ryan Barrett
Drowned
Drowned
in a pond
in a lake
October 2006
August 2009
Age 5
Age 14
Noah Burke
Colum Canning
Drowned
Drowned
in a creek
in a hotel pool
March 2008
December 2008
Age 4

3. We Need to Start Now
Jared McGuire Kaitlin Bacile
Drowned Drowned
in a pond in a canal
February 2006 September 2008
Age 7 Age 5
Thomas Pinkum Ashley Brock
Drowned Drowned
in a pond in a neighbor’s pool
March 2008 May 2008
Age 7 Age 6

4. To Prevent
Benjamin Heil Bernard Latimore
Drowned Drowned
in a pond in a pool
June 2007 September 2010
Age 7 Age 10
And the list continues
to grow…

5. The Leading Cause
Mason Medlam Aiden Bell
Drowned Drowned
in a pond in a creek
July 2010 April 2010
Age 5 Age 3
Christian Dejons Luke Selwyn
Drowned Drowned
in a lake at a neighbor’s
April 2010 March 2010
Age 6 Age 6

6. Of Death
Adlai Kugblenu
Kaliya Sullivan
Drowned
Drowned
in a pond
in a neighbor’s pool
June 2010
June 2010
Age 8
Age 7
Zachary Clark Savannah Hauser
Drowned Drowned
in a pond in a pond
August 2010 September 2010
Age 5 Age 3

7. For Those
Anyah Glossinger Skyler James Wayne
Drowned Drowned
in a pool in a river
January 2010 October 2010
Age 5 Age 8
Nathan T. Kinderdine Aiden Lawson
Drowned Drowned
in a pool in a pond
August 2010 February 2011
Age 7

8. With Autism
Jackson Kastner Savannah Martin
Drowned Drowned
in a river in a pond
2011 February 2011
Age 4 Age 7
Adam Benhamama Blake Murrell
Drowned Drowned
in a river in a pond
April 2011 April 2011
Age 2 Age 4

9. Newspaper Headlines
“Kaden Seagraves drowned in a pond”
“Autistic boy, Carlos Muniz drowns”
“7 year old autistic boy found in the Salmon
River”
“Texas: Autistic teen Lance Benson drowns in
backyard pool”
“5 year old autistic girl drowned in her
bathtub”

10. “5 year old autistic boy drowns in canal”
“Tyji Chester found floating lifeless in city
swimming pool”
“Korey Penwall drowned in retention
pool”
“Autistic boy, Lucas Beaupre drowned”
“11 year old with autism critical after
near drowning”

11. “Jayson Allen 8, fell in canal and
drowned”
“Drowning in Surprise, 4 year old autistic
boy drowns in backyard pool”
“Jaden Fournier, 3 years old drowned in
his backyard”
“Alexander Covington drowns after
sneaking from house”

12. Just in 2011
“Monroe township: autistic boy died from
accidental drowning”
“4 year old autistic boy drowns in Davie lake
after wandering from home”
“Three year old boy who disappeared found
dead from drowning”
“Arizona: 5 year old drowns in golf course
pond”
“Colorado: 3 year old drowns in golf course
lake”

13. We Need To START NOW!
 Stress the importance of water safety to
families with children with autism.
 Teach swimming and implement autism-
specific aquatic programs.
 Alert the parents to install alarms that notify
the family if a child has left the house.
 Remind those with pools that they should
maintain barriers around their pool even if
they don’t have small children.
 Train parents in C.P.R and basic lifesaving
skills.

14. To Save Lives
 Neighbors should be notified by
families with a child with autism to the
fact that their child may wander.
 Offer assistance and get involved with
a local autism organization to spread
the word.
 Work with first responders to identify
bodies of water that should be checked
first in a missing persons incident.

15. Take Me Home
Henry J. Tirado
Crime Prevention Specialist
"Take Me Home" Program Administrator

16. Autism and Aquatic Emergencies
Ralph Carrasquillo, Captain

17. Types of Aquatic Emergencies
 Drowning
 Seizures
 Lost or wandering person
 Heat exhaustion
 Slips and falls
 Head injuries
 Cuts and abrasions

18. Giving First aid to a person with
autism, remember to…
 Maintain a safe distance, they may
suddenly invade your personal space
 Use a calm, soft voice
 Speak in direct phrases such as… “Sit
down,” “Stay here,” or “Stop and wait”
 Avoid slang language or idioms

19.  Allow for a delayed response to your
questions or commands
 Consider the use of pictures, written phrases
and sign language
 Look for medical alert jewelry, tags, and
tattoos, which may be labeled in their
clothing
 Remain alert to the possibility of outbursts or
impulsive acts
 If possible, have sirens and lights turned off

20.  Model calm body language such as slow
breathing and keeping hands low
 Model the behavior you want the person to
display
 Minimize crowds and try to have only one
caregiver at a time
 Be mindful of triggering the flight or fight
response