Alright – so, it has been an extremely sad and heartbreaking year for our Somali autism community. Children with autism have been hurt and died due to eloping/wandering and not knowing how to swim.
Research tells us children with autism are 160 times more likely to die from drowning. Water often gives children with autism a calming sensory need. Research also suggests swimming the first service the child gets after the diagnoses, even before speech and behavior interventions.
So, what does this all mean for Somali autism families and all autism families. Well – lock your doors and windows if you have a child with autism who does not have safety skills. You can contact the county, school, etc. later. Even if your landlord initially tells you no, do not listen, just buy double sided locks with codes, keys, etc. They even have locks with fingerprinting and face recognition now. You can deal with landlord and county matters later. The first and most important thing we need to do is keep our children safe.
Second, search for adaptive swimming lessons in your area. Remember, learning how to swim can take a long time for children with autism. You have to be consistent with this and stay on it.
Third, now that your child is safe. Call any of the Somali or other autism advocacy agencies in Minnesota. They are SPAN, MAAN, Maangaar Global and Maangaar Voices. Ask them to help you understand the rules and policies for getting a waiver that can help you to pay for the adaptive swimming lessons and safely modify your home. There is also a federal law that most landlords must follow that protects people with disabilities by requiring reasonable accommodations and fair housing act. Ask the advocacy agency to help you understand your rights and responsibilities.
Legal authority for Minnesota’s home and vehicle safety modification. Please read and/or ask someone to help you understand.
The above words do not reflect any candidate, agency, or committee.
Idil Abdull – Somali Autism Mom & Retired Advocate