In a tragic incident in the San Antonio area, a young boy with autism drowned in a neighbor’s pool, sparking a conversation about the necessity of water safety lessons for children. Jeremiah Turner, a 5-year-old from Natalia, Texas, known for his bright and adventurous spirit, tragically drowned on March 10. His mother, Christie Lyons, told KENS 5 that the neighbor's pool was not locked at the time of the accident.
Efforts to save Jeremiah were extensive, but ultimately, the boy became brain-dead and passed away four days later, said Lyons. The tragedy has led Lydia's and other community members to promote water safety lessons for children, especially those with autism. The National Autism Association states that drowning is the leading cause of death in children with autism after wandering/elopement, accounting for 91% of deaths in the U.S. for kids 14 and younger.
Meanwhile, the San Antonio Pre-K 4 SA program has taken proactive steps to prevent such tragedies by partnering with the Miss Tristan Foundation to teach over 4,000 children the importance of water safety. The program includes free swim lessons and water safety education to all enrolled children. The director of programs at Miss Tristan Foundation, Izzy Gonzales, said in a statement obtained by KSAT, "Drowning is preventable. It’s 100 percent preventable."
The efforts by Pre-K 4 SA and the Miss Tristan Foundation are consistent with advice provided by Pamela Allen, CEO of Eagle's Flight Advocacy & Outreach, who urges families with autistic children to be educated on water safety. Allen emphasized the particular attraction children with autism have to water, and how this can lead to dangerous situations. "The leading cause of death for children with autism is drowning, and for some reason the water just calls to them," Allen told KENS 5.
In light of these events, the community continues to grieve for Jeremiah, with services planned at the end of the month. His story and the steps being taken by the Pre-K 4 SA program serve as a stark reminder of the critical importance of water safety, and the ongoing efforts to safeguard the lives of all children, particularly those with autism, from the dangers of drowning.
