Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children with autism. Unlike what we often see in movies, drowning is typically silent and can happen in as little as 30 seconds. Many children on the spectrum are drawn to water for its calming sensory input, but may not understand the danger.

Did you know:

Children with autism are up to 160 times more likely to die from drowning than their neurotypical peers
91% of deaths in children with autism are caused by unintentional drowning
73.9% of fatal drownings occur during periods of wandering or elopement
Most drownings occur within 885 feet of home¹

With the right tools, awareness, and support, families can take powerful steps to prevent tragedy and teach their children to enjoy water safely. To help equip families with the knowledge they need, we’re offering an on-demand webinar, “Water Safety for Children with Autism.” This two-part virtual event brings together parents, clinicians, and swim safety experts to share life-saving information and practical tips.

Part one features Heather McCrackin, a nurse practitioner, drowning prevention advocate, and founder of Swim Safe Forever. She is joined by Veronica Figueroa, BCBA, and Senior Vice President at Action Behavior Centers. Together, they share real-life stories and strategies to help parents feel more confident and prepared at home, on vacation, or anywhere near water.

Part two brings together ABC Regional Clinical Director Katie Sears, BCBA, and swim safety experts Alyssia Alsas and Gavin Dosil from Aqua-Tots Swim Schools. You’ll hear how applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy and quality swim instruction can work hand in hand to help children on the spectrum develop individualized water safety skills. Learn how to prepare your child for lessons, ask the right questions, and partner with instructors to create positive swim experiences.

What you'll learn:

	How to prepare your child with autism for safe swim lessons
	The connection between elopement and drowning and how to create layers of protection
	What it means to “skill the child” and “skill the parent” for water safety
	Tips for navigating swim lessons, from choosing the right school to teaching key safety behaviors
	How ABA therapy principles like modeling, reinforcement, and individualized teaching apply to water safety

Water Safety for Children with Autism

Did you know:

Children with autism are up to 160 times more likely to die from drowning than their neurotypical peers
91% of deaths in children with autism are caused by unintentional drowning
73.9% of fatal drownings occur during periods of wandering or elopement
Most drownings occur within 885 feet of home¹

With the right tools, awareness, and support, families can take powerful steps to prevent tragedy and teach their children to enjoy water safely. To help equip families with the knowledge they need, we’re hosting a no-cost webinar, “Water Safety for Children with Autism,” on Wednesday, May 21, at 12:00 p.m. CST. This two-part virtual event will bring together parents, clinicians, and swim safety experts to share life-saving information and practical tips.

Part one will feature Heather McCrackin, a nurse practitioner, drowning prevention advocate, and founder of Swim Safe Forever. She will be joined by Veronica Figueroa, BCBA, and Senior Vice President at Action Behavior Centers. Together, they’ll share real-life stories and strategies to help parents feel more confident and prepared at home, on vacation, or anywhere near water. From social stories and visual cues to building layers of safety and navigating elopement, this conversation will cover practical tools families can use every day.

Part two will bring together ABC Regional Clinical Director Katie Sears, BCBA, and swim safety experts Alyssia Alsas and Gavin Dosil from Aqua-Tots Swim Schools. You’ll hear how applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy and quality swim instruction can work hand in hand to help children on the spectrum develop individualized water safety skills. Learn how to prepare your child for lessons, ask the right questions, and partner with instructors to create positive swim experiences.

Veronica Figueroa, BCBA

Senior Vice President – Houston & Chicago Regions at Action Behavior Centers

Veronica has years of experience supporting and advocating for children on the autism spectrum and their families. She brings deep clinical knowledge and a compassionate, family-centered approach to every discussion.

Heather McCrackin, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Family Nurse Practitioner & Drowning Prevention Advocate

Heather is the founder and vice president of Swim Safe Forever, a national nonprofit dedicated to drowning prevention and water safety. Through her Surviving the Spectrum™ initiative, she provides resources designed specifically for families of children with autism. As a nurse practitioner and autism parent, Heather helps families understand risks and take proactive steps to protect their children in and around water.

Katie Sears, BCBA

Regional Clinical Director at Action Behavior Centers

Katie bridges the gap between therapy and everyday life, helping families apply ABA principles to essential life skills like water safety, communication, and independence.

Alyssia Alsas

Content & Education Manager, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools

Alyssia supports the swim curriculum across Aqua-Tots’ 170+ global locations. She specializes in helping instructors adapt swim lessons for children with unique learning needs.

Gavin Dosil (not pictured)

Training Facility Director, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools

Gavin oversees Aqua-Tots’ North American training hub and partners with families to build lessons that support safety, confidence, and progress at each child’s pace.

Get instant access to our webinar featuring Heather McCrackin and Aqua-Tots Swim Schools

Watch our on-demand webinar with swim safety experts

Water Safety for Children with Autism

Get instant access to our webinar featuring Heather McCrackin and Aqua-Tots Swim Schools

Water Safety for Children with Autism

Meet our speakers