Kids with autism are prone to drowning. Florida is trying to prevent that

Mackenzie Wesley, a 5-year-old with autism, loves water and attends swim lessons at the YMCA of South Florida’s Swim Buddies program, which caters to children with disabilities. Her parents enrolled her to ensure her safety, as children with autism are significantly more at risk of drowning due to their attraction to water and tendency to wander. In Florida, where water is abundant, this risk is heightened. To address this, the state is expanding a voucher program to prioritize swim lessons for young children with autism. This initiative aims to prevent tragedies by providing early access to swimming and drowning prevention education. Florida state Rep. Anna Eskamani emphasizes the importance of these lessons in reducing drowning incidents among autistic children. QUESTION: How might expanding access to swim lessons for children with autism impact their safety and well-being in communities with abundant water resources?