33 children with autism drowned in Florida in 2024.
94 children with autism have drowned in Florida since January 1, 2021.
In 60 percent of all drownings in Florida since 2021 involving a child age 5 or older, the child was autistic.
These startling figures have been compiled by Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County (CSCPBC) as part of its ongoing work related to autism and drowning. CSCPBC’s April 2024 report “The rise in drownings of children with autism” is believed to be the most comprehensive study done to date in the United States related to autism and drowning. CSCPBC has continued to build on the report with the creation of a national database tracking drownings involving children with autism.
- To access the report "The rise in drownings of children with autism in Florida," click here.
- To access the national database of drownings involving children with autism, click here. (Last updated on December 20, 2024.)
- Click here for videos of drowning rescues of children with autism.
- To learn more about CSCPBC’s work, or if you are aware of drownings not in the database, please contact Senior Communications Specialist Jon Burstein at 561-374-7616 or e-mail jon.burstein@cscpbc.org.
Other key facts and figures about drownings involving children with autism:
- 140 drownings in Florida have involved children with autism from January 2012 to December 20, 2024.
- At least 66 children with autism have drowned in the United States in 2024, according to data compiled by CSCPBC.
- At least 169 children with autism have drowned in the United States since January 1, 2021, according to data compiled by CSCPBC.
- 30 states have had at least one child with autism drown since January 1, 2021.
- Ponds/retention ponds are the most likely bodies of water where a child with autism will drown in Florida.
What is CSCPBC doing in response to the report?
- Funding a pilot program of the Autism Society of America that is training water safety instructors on working with children on the spectrum. The program launched in June at Small Fish Big Fish Swim School, a privately-owned swim school in West Palm Beach.
- Partnering with Safe Kids Palm Beach County, the local chapter of Safe Kids Worldwide, to create safety boxes for families with children who have been newly diagnosed. The contents of those boxes currently are being discussed, but will include door and window alarms. CSCPBC is set to provide up to $50,000 in funding for the boxes in the 2024-25 fiscal year.
- Developing messaging related to the dangers of wandering and figuring out how to reach Palm Beach County families with newly-diagnosed children.
- CSCPBC funded transportation costs and towels for students at Gove Elementary School in Belle Glade to receive swim lessons in May 2024 at Pioneer Park Pool. Two Gove Elementary School students with autism drowned in separate incidents in December 2023 and February 2024.