Children with autism, special needs learn water safety at state police pool [Video]

TRAGEDY IN A VULNERABLE GROUP. MAKING A SPLASH AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE AT THE STATE POLICE POOL IN FRAMINGHAM. SHE SEES IT. AND NOW HER ROUTINE. I DIDN’T EVEN SAY ANYTHING IS TO TAKE IT AND HOLD IT. 20 CHILDREN WITH AUTISM OR OTHER SPECIAL NEEDS ARE LEARNING HOW TO BE SAFE IN THE WATER. THE EVENT, PROMPTED BY RECENT DROWNINGS AND AS PART OF THAT, WE LEARNED THAT KIDS WITH THOSE NEEDS ARE 160% MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER A DROWNING AND SO THE QUESTION WAS, HOW CAN WE MAKE GOOD FROM THAT TRAGEDY? AND REALLY SPREAD THE WORD AND SAY, TAKE A HAND? CINDY FRIEDMAN FOUNDED SWIM ANGELFISH TEACHING ADAPTIVE SWIMMING SKILLS, A RITUAL AND ROUTINE IS WHAT WE’RE TRYING TO DO HERE. SO IF THEY ASK BEFORE THEY GET IN THE BATHTUB, ASK TWICE AT THE POOL AND THEN HANDS IN THE AIR, CLAP YOUR HANDS. ASK AGAIN. …