Children with special needs at higher risk for drowning
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Dayna Harvey has been teaching swim lessons to children of all abilities for 37 years.
“Children with autism are at a 160-times greater risk of drowning than neuro-typical children,” Harvey said.
While summer time is when most drownings happen, those on the autism spectrum typically drown in bodies of water near their homes in the afternoon hours after wandering. Even a bathtub poses a threat.
Recently, Harvey has been on a mission to teach families of kids with special needs water safety.
“A lot of what I have developed [with] my water safety kit really came from working with a little boy who had an autism diagnosis, and I needed to figure out a way to keep him safe in class.,” she said.
That is how the Waiting Whales were born. There are five of them, and each has a role to play in teaching boundaries and routines to stay safe, whether it be in a swimming pool, ocean or bathtub.
The whales are part of a safety kit which includes an “I will wait mat.”
“So I’ve got families that take them to the beach,” Harvey said. “I got another family that took them on vacation to the hotel. These become a part of the children’s lives where there’s water. I will wait.”
Just like getting into a car seat to stay safe on the road, kids learn to use the mat to stay safe around water. Similarly, as they wouldn’t cross the street without holding your hand, they don’t get off the mat until they get the thumbs up. That means an adult is now actively watching.
“You know, cell phones down so our children don’t drown,” Harvey said.
She may be in the water with the kids, but educating adults is what saves their lives.
Harvey’ website, Water Safety with Miss Dayna, has tools and tips for parents as well as kids.
She encourages families to learn more — find a swim program that is a good fit for your family, and do it early. Most children who die from drowning are under the age of four.
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