Aspies For Freedom

Accidental drowning was the cause of death for a 6-year-old autistic boy whose body was found in a lake at the apartment complex where he lived, authorities say.

A rescue helicopter spotted the body of Jabriel Eason on Monday after a 20-hour search, said Sgt. Melanie Hofmann of the Macon police.

Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones said an autopsy revealed no injuries to the body and determined he died of accidental drowning.

Eason went missing Sunday when his mother took a nap. She had a new lock installed in her apartment after the boy had gotten out of the unit about a month or so earlier, said Eason's paternal grandfather, Len Eason, a retired captain with the Bibb County Sheriff's Office. She had also blocked the door with a couch.

Len Eason said Jabriel apparently climbed onto the couch and was able to reach the lock, then move the couch to open the door.

Jabriel's grandfather said the boy's disability, coupled with the nearby lake, had been worrisome.

"Being autistic is a handful in itself. He didn't talk, but he still had good mobility skills. He loved the outdoors, going to the outside world; he was just a natural kid," Eason said.
From associated press.

How come so many Autistics come to grief in lakes or wandering about the streets?

I mean, I know some of the most severe cases that exhibit retardation, or younger autistics who simply have more curiosity than wisdom might find themselves in trouble; but autism doesn't usually impact mobility (ie. ability to swim)

*Shrugs*

Just wondered "why".

What a sad story, Amy.

Maybe so many come to such an end through lacking a sense of danger, Ryuujin.

Why do so many autistic children meet their end in the water as opposed to NT children? I think I can answer that.

This question is for all the Aspies and Auties, not the NTs, who visit.

Do you love the water? Swimming? Water Parls? Rediculously long showers? I know I love all of these things, and if enough of you answer yes, than I think my suspiciouns will have been confirmed.
I think there's something about water that people with autism and related conditions find tactilly appealing, far more so than most NTs. And if that's true, is it any wonder that proportionately for all the autistic children who die vs all the NT children who die, a higher proportion of the autistic children will have died in the water?

I love swimming outdoors, and always have done.
There were no lakes near me when I was young, but I used to wander onto nearby building sites - why? because I loved the smell of cement powder and tar!

I like swimming and bathing, and as child I used to wander far away from home- sometimes even 5 km or more- but always found my way back. Nearby there was also a river, and I used to go and pick up certain water-flowers ( I don´t know the name in English) which was strictly forbidden from me, as the river was deep and dirty and I couldn´t swim.
I learned to swim at the age of 5, but that river would have most propably drowned me anyway if I had fallen in the water. And, most propably nobody would have come to my rescue, as there were almost never any bypassers.

I'm not sure I agree that more AS children than NT's drown.  I'd need to see some statistics first.  Here in Australia, even after a couple of decades of legally enforced fencing-off of backyard swimming pools, every summer we hear of more accidental drownings of children.  Tragically, it seems that children per se have a very limited sense of danger.
Alison

How did a six year old move a couch that blocked the door?

I live in Bibb county GA.  I have a lot I would LOVE to say about this but will not.  He went to my nephews school, and lived where my mother-in-law used to.  I am NOT blaming her in any way.  I just think  all parents should pay more attention, esp. when they have children who know no fear of water.

I agree, where are the statistics? Every summer, children drown in backyard pools that aren't fenced in. I don't remember a single case in my area where the child was mentioned as being autistic. Usually drownings happen because the parent was distracted for only a split second.

All this talk of drowning kids, reminds me of a sad anti-drug PDA ad. They had a girl by a pool looking like she's going for a beach ball that's in the pool, the assumption being that nobody is watching her and she can't swim. Then a voice over says, "Don't worry if something happens to her. You can just tell her parents you were high."

When I was a young child my main mission in life was to go swimming. Even as an adult swimming is one of my favourite outdoor activities, if there are no crowds to avoid or kids to keep an eye on.

I recall reading somewhere that the is some statistical evidence suggesting that autistic kids are especially vulnerable to drowning, but more research is needed.