Water Safety

71% of deaths related to wandering are caused by drowning. That’s right – 71%. That’s why it is absolutely critical to teach your child to swim, doggy paddle, or float.

 

Read our PFA Tips on Water Safety:

• Make Swimming Fun and Safe
• Finding the Right Swim Lesson
• Teaching Swimming to Students with Autism

Swim Lesson Scholarships

We have partnered with the following aquatics centers to provide scholarships for swim lessons. Contact the center directly to inquire about availability.

Coppermine at the Bel Air Athletic Center
Kate Mattheu, Aquatics Manager
410-823-2500

Coppermine Meadowbrook
Hailey Schlogel
410-823-2500 X602
hschlogel@gocoppermine.com

Three Fish Aquatics
Serving the upper Eastern Shore
Sherye Nickerson
443-343-SWIM
swim@threefishaquatics.com

Aquatics at Pediatric Movement Center Hagerstown
Colleen Bal
301.739.5437
cbal@pmchag.com

Additional Resources:

Water Safety Resources from The Maryland Autism Coalition

WMAR TV interview with Shelly McLaughlin following the tragic drowning of a young boy – “After tragic death of 6-year-old with autism, advice on wandering, elopement”

WMAR TV interview with Shelly McLaughlin about PFA’s water safety initiatives – Autism nonprofit promotes swim safety amid tragic summer drownings

WMAR interview with Shelly McLaughlin about PFA’s and the Maryland Autism Coalition’s water safety initiatives –  Raising awareness: The deadly risk of drowning for children with autism

Pool Communication Board by the Hussman Institute for Autism

Swim Lesson Social Story by the Hussman Institute for Autism

Lifesaving Water Safety Skills by the Hussman Institute for Autism

Water Safety for Kids with Autism by the the Hussman Institute for Autism

Pool Statements Neurodiversity Affirming by the the Hussman Institute for Autism

Adaptive Water Safety Toolkit by Swim Angelfish
Extra layers of water safety practices and tips for autism, sensory, physical and special education needs