06/18/2026
For autistic children, water safety can look different than many families, schools, and communities expect.
Even children who avoid baths or swim lessons may still be drawn to pools, ponds, lakes, canals, or other nearby water. And when a child with autism goes missing, one message can make all the difference:
Search nearby water first.
In our next AngelSense Live panel, we’re bringing together voices from advocacy, policy, clinical care, and lived parent experience to talk about what real water safety planning needs to include - beyond “watch them closely” or “sign them up for swim lessons.”
You’ll hear from:
💧 Lori McIlwain of the National Autism Safety Council, on why water risk can look different for autistic children and what families and first responders need to know.
💧 Stacey Hoaglund of Disability Advocacy and Support Specialists, on access, equity, swim instruction, legislation, and why drowning prevention is also a disability-access issue.
💧 Melissa Schiefelbein, BCBA and Clinical Lead at AngelSense, on how families can build realistic safety plans around behavior patterns, communication needs, elopement risk, sensory needs, and assistive technology.
Moderated by Rick Loewenstein, this conversation will focus on practical, layered protection families, providers, educators, and policymakers can actually use.
Why Autism Changes Everything About Water Safety:
📅 Tuesday, June 23
🕛 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT
Register at the link in the below.
Can’t attend live? Register anyway and we’ll send you the recording.
