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For many families, summer means pool parties, lake trips, and afternoons spent near the water. But for individuals with developmental disabilities, especially children on the autism spectrum, water can present a hidden and life-threatening danger that communities can no longer afford to overlook. Water safety is not simply a recreational skill — it is a critical life-saving necessity.
According to swim instructor Kari Bullan of Shasta Self-Rescue Swim Academy, drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death for young children, and the risks are even greater for individuals with developmental disabilities. “For kids with autism, their risk of drowning is 160 times higher than the general population due to their tendencies to wander and elope,” said Bullan. Children with autism are particularly vulnerable because many are naturally drawn to water and may wander or elope from safe environments without warning. These realities make proactive water safety education essential rather than optional.
One of the strongest arguments for early swim instruction is that it gives individuals the ability to respond independently during an emergency. Traditional thinking often assumes that supervision alone is enough to prevent tragedies, but accidents happen quickly and silently. Swim instruction focused on survival skills provides an additional layer of protection that can travel with the individual wherever they go. Programs like those offered at Shasta Self-Rescue Swim Academy teach students how to float, breathe, and recover if they unexpectedly enter the water. These are not simply swimming techniques — they are survival tools.
Another important point is that many families mistakenly believe swim lessons may not work for children with developmental disabilities. In reality, structured swim programs can be highly effective because they rely on repetition, consistency, sensory learning, and positive reinforcement. These approaches often align well with the learning styles of individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. Short, daily lessons and predictable routines help students build confidence while reducing fear and overstimulation. “The sooner a child has these independent water safety, lifesaving skills, the safer they are,” said Bullan. Inclusive instruction demonstrates that developmental disabilities should never be viewed as barriers to learning lifesaving skills.
Water safety education also empowers families and caregivers. Effective prevention involves much more than enrolling in lessons. Families must understand the importance of constant supervision, secure pool barriers, alarms, life jackets, and CPR training. These combined “layers of protection” significantly reduce the risk of drowning incidents.
The Fiver Layers of Drowning Prevention
- Constant, Active Supervision
Always keep eyes on children in and around water-no distractions.
2. Secure Barriers
Fences, self-latching gates, door alarms, and pool covers help prevent unsupervised access.
3. Water Competency & ISR Self-Rescue Lessons
Teach children how to survive in the water.
ISR (Infant Swimming Resource) lessons focus on real survival skills like floating, rolling, and returning to the edge.
4. Life Jackets
Use preoperly fitted, Coast Guard-approved life jackets around open water. Especially for young or inexperienced swimmers.
5. Emergency Preparedness
Learn CPR and know what to do in an emergency. Every second matters.
Water safety becomes strongest when communities, instructors, and families work together rather than relying on a single solution.
The work being done by Kari Bullan highlights why community awareness matters. By teaching survival swim skills and advocating for inclusive aquatics education, she is helping families understand that water competency is as essential as any other life skill. Her work through Shasta Self-Rescue Swim Academy reflects a growing recognition that all individuals, regardless of ability, deserve access to safe and effective water education.
Communities must also do more to make aquatic spaces inclusive and accessible. Too often, adaptive swim instruction is difficult to find or unavailable entirely. Expanding specialized programs, training more instructors, and increasing public education about drowning risks could save lives. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn how to safely navigate the water, especially those who face increased risks due to developmental disabilities.
Water safety is not about eliminating fun or creating fear around swimming. It is about preparation, prevention, and protection. For individuals with developmental disabilities, these lessons can mean the difference between tragedy and survival. “Your child is at extreme risk if they have no water skills. A little bit of discomfort during lessons far outweighs any tragedy that can happen at any time,” said Bullan. Investing in accessible swim education today creates safer families, safer communities, and ultimately saves lives tomorrow.