When asked why drowning should be such a common cause of death for individuals with ASD, Dr. Li says: “With impaired communication and social skills, autistic kids tend to seek relief of their heightened anxiety from the serenity of water bodies. Unfortunately, this behavior too often leads to tragedies.”
Children are often diagnosed with ASD at the age of 2 or 3. At this point, Dr. Li says that “pediatricians and parents should immediately help enroll the child in swimming classes, before any behavioral therapy, speech therapy, or occupational therapy.” He continues: “Swimming ability for kids with autism is an imperative survival skill.”
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