Drowning is the leading cause of death among people with autism who wander – NBC4 Washington

On Sunday, 6-year-old boy Fawzan Hassan was found dead in a pond at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg, Maryland, near the playground where the boy disappeared on Saturday, Montgomery County police said.

Hassan was non-verbal and had autism and was last seen in Bohrer Park on Saturday at 3 p.m.

On Sunday afternoon, bystanders saw his body in the water and authorities confirmed it was him.

More than 100 people searched for him and Montgomery County police and firefighters searched Saturday night, using drones with help from Maryland-National Capital Park Police.

According to the National Autism Association, children with autism are 160 times more likely to die from drowning than the rest of the population.

They also said that accidental drowning accounts for 71 percent of deaths and that nearly half of wandering incidents occur when a non-parent is supervising the child.

“Many autistic individuals are drawn to water and some are unable to understand the dangers associated with it. Tragically, the leading cause of death among autistic people who wander is drowning,” according to Autism Speaks, an organization dedicated to providing research for people with autism and their families.

Here are more tips from Autism Speaks to keep your loved ones safe around water:

• Emphasize the dangers of water
• Take precautions to avoid wandering
• Register for swimming lessons

Yetta Myrick, director of DC Autism Parents, who also has a child with autism, said more resources are needed for people with autism and that families should not be afraid to ask for help.

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