It was a quiet Sunday afternoon in late July when tragedy struck in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Rescue crews found the body of 6-year-old Fawzan Hassan, who had drowned in a local pond. Fawzan, a non-verbal autistic child, had been attending a community event at Bohrer Park with his family the previous day. At some point during the event, he wandered off, sparking a frantic search that ended in heartbreak.
Sadly, this was not an isolated incident. Just earlier that month, a 3-year-old autistic boy drowned in a Rockville neighborhood pool. And in June, a similar tragedy unfolded in Baltimore County. These events have left the community reeling and prompted an urgent response to address water safety for autistic children.
In the wake of these heartbreaking drownings, local autism advocacy groups united to form the Maryland Autism Coalition for Water Safety. This newly formed coalition includes the Montgomery County police department’s Autism, Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD), Alzheimer’s and Dementia Unit, as well as xMinds, a Kensington-based education and outreach group. Together, these organizations are spearheading a critical safety campaign to raise awareness about water safety and provide essential resources to caregivers.
The coalition’s public service campaign is centered around a simple but vital message: “Call 911 first, THEN search water.” This advice, echoed by law enforcement and advocates alike, emphasizes the importance of acting quickly when a loved one with autism wanders off. Time is of the essence in such situations, and water often poses the greatest risk.
Understanding Wandering and Elopement
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects how individuals communicate, learn, and interact with the world around them. According to the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH), autism is a neurological and developmental disorder that manifests in a wide range of symptoms and behaviors. The Autism Society of Maryland reports that one in 43 children in the state are diagnosed with ASD. Each child is unique, and their experiences of autism can vary significantly.
“Some kids with autism have very limited ability and others have much more. There are differences in language level and intellectual level and general self-awareness level,” explains Dr. David Black, a pediatric neuropsychologist and the co-founder of the Center for Assessment and Treatment in Chevy Chase.
He continues, “For some children with autism, there can be major differences in their assessment of risk and their situational self-awareness.”
One of the most common and dangerous behaviors in children with autism is wandering or elopement. The National Autism Association defines elopement as “the tendency for an individual to leave the safety of a responsible person’s care or safe area, which may result in potential harm or injury.” A study by the association found that accidental drowning accounts for 71% of fatalities related to wandering in the U.S., with traffic injuries making up another 18%. Most of these deaths occur in children aged 5 to 9.
Black explains that wandering is a complex issue, as varied as the symptoms of autism itself. Children may wander for different reasons, whether they’re seeking sensory stimulation, looking to escape an overwhelming environment, or simply following a fascination.
“Sometimes they are immersed in their own world,” says Black. “Other times, they are trying to escape noisy or chaotic surroundings or seeking comfort by finding a quiet place. And sometimes they may not be aware of the dangers they face when they wander off.”
Many children with autism are particularly drawn to water. According to Black, water can offer sensory relief that appeals to autistic individuals, whether it’s the sound of moving water, the feeling of being immersed, or the soothing sensation of weightlessness.
“In some cases, kids just love being in the water for sensory reasons,” he explains. “The experience of being in it, the weightlessness of the body, the feeling of the water against your skin—usually it’s driven by some sort of sensory seeking. It just feels good.”
A Specialized Police Unit
One key player in the Maryland Autism Coalition is the Montgomery County police department’s Autism/IDD, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Outreach Unit. This specialized unit was launched in 2005 and is among the first of its kind in the country. Led by Officer Laurie Reyes, the unit is dedicated to training police officers on how to respond to cases involving individuals with autism and wandering.
The unit’s website offers a variety of resources for caregivers, including safety brochures, a 911 call script, a letter to share with neighbors, and an online webinar about wandering safety. These resources are designed to prepare families for the worst-case scenario—a loved one with autism going missing.
Reyes’ team responds to nearly 1,000 wandering calls each year, and the danger of water remains constant regardless of the season. “The threat of water is the same, no matter the season, because those individuals who have autism, many will not mind or not be cognizant that the water is cold and they shouldn’t go in,” Reyes explains.
The unit also offers families safety kits, which include window clings for homes and cars indicating that a person with autism or intellectual disabilities may be present. Additionally, the kits contain bright yellow T-shirts that state: “I am a person who has autism/IDD. If I am alone please call 911.”
Recognizing the lack of awareness about wandering risks, Reyes has also begun reaching out to local doctors’ offices. Inspired by conversations with the mother of the 3-year-old boy who drowned in Rockville, she realized many parents are unaware of the dangers their children face. This mother had not received any information about the risk of wandering from her doctor, something Reyes is determined to change.
“A lot of parents just aren’t aware that that’s a thing. So in honor of the young boy, we’ve been handing out safety information [to] … local doctors’ offices,” Reyes explains.
Swim Lessons as a Lifesaving Tool
While the coalition’s safety campaign emphasizes water awareness, advocates also encourage caregivers to enroll their children in swim lessons. Teaching basic water survival skills can be a lifesaving measure.
“I always tell parents [that] it’s not about getting them to learn specific strokes. It’s all about life sustainability, so whether that [is] doggy paddling or treading water or knowing how to float,” says Shelly McLaughlin, program director at Pathfinders for Autism.
Pathfinders for Autism, a Baltimore County-based advocacy group, plays a critical role in the coalition by sharing water safety information and swim lesson resources. They also offer advice for swim instructors on how to work with students who have autism.
Through the ongoing efforts of the Maryland Autism Coalition for Water Safety and its safety campaign, there is hope that tragedies like those of Fawzan Hassan and the 3-year-old boy in Rockville can be prevented in the future. By raising awareness, providing resources, and encouraging families to take precautions, the coalition aims to protect vulnerable individuals and ensure that their love for water does not lead to heartbreak.
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