Water Safety Resource List
These sites have full water safety curricula, trainings, and educational materials for parents, teachers, and aquatic professionals. In addition, they have apps and videos geared toward younger children. All these resources are FREE. They are a wealth of information so please check them out along with all the other safety resources provided in POAC’s Safety Section.
Stop Drowning Now
Stop Drowning Now (SDN) was founded by a group of educators who believe that drowning can be prevented. We believe that awareness, skills, knowledge, and practice can help parents and kids realize the risks they face, learn how to protect themselves, and react effectively if an emergency happens.
Pool Safely
Pool Safely: Simple Steps to Save Lives, is a national public education campaign to reduce childhood drownings, submersion injuries, and entrapments. The campaign is a call-to-action for consumers and industry to adopt proven water safety steps and join a national conversation about pool and spa safety by sharing best practices and other life-saving information.
YMCA
As “America’s swim instructor,” the YMCA teaches children of all ages and from all backgrounds that water should be fun, not feared, if you know how to stay safe in and around water. If you are interested in finding a swim instructor for your child, contacting your local YMCA is a great first step. In New Jersey a great way to find a swim instructor for individuals with autism is to ask the question on POAC’s online support group the NJ Autism Warriors found on Facebook.
Swim Angelfish
Swim Angelfish is a global leader in adaptive swim instruction. They offer a comprehensive online certification program. Their program is specifically designed to help children with Autism, anxiety, sensory and motor coordination issues to become safe and independent swimmers.
Gary Weitzen
POAC Executive Director
Gary Weitzen, the Executive Director of POAC Autism Services, also holds a certified law enforcement instructor title in New Jersey and has 20 years of experience in risk management. Besides managing POAC, he’s spent 15 years teaching life skills to adults with autism. A notable autism advocate, Gary has been featured in major media networks and has a son with autism, Christopher.
Related Posts
Increasing Internet Safety is a Team Effort
Increasing internet safety for children with autism requires teamwork, focusing on open communication, monitoring, and setting reasonable rules to protect against online dangers.
Eliminating Drowning in Our Lifetime – The Leading Cause of Death for Children with Autism
Drowning, the leading cause of death for children with autism under 14, is preventable. This article emphasizes the importance of water safety, including supervision and barriers, to protect children with autism.
Fire Safety For Autism – 6 Things You Need to Know and Do
Learn six essential fire safety tips tailored for individuals with autism, focusing on preparation, escape plans, and ensuring effective communication to increase safety and survival chances during fires.
