Children with autism are drowning this summer at a much higher rate than in the past and now experts are sounding the alarm about the dangers facing kids who wander and how to respond if they do.

The National Autism Association and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children recently issued what they call an “urgent alert” to remind first responders and members of the public to check areas with water first whenever a child with autism goes missing.

“We want to urge people to be more vigilant,” said John Bischoff, who oversees the Missing Children Division at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. “It’s important that everyone understands what to do in these fast-moving situations, not just the families of these children. You could save a life.”

Since the start of June, 27 children with autism and two adults on the spectrum have drowned after going missing, according to Lori McIlwain, co-founder of the National Autism Association. The total number of wandering-related deaths for those with autism is at 44 for the year, which includes both drownings and traffic injuries. These are only cases that the group has been able to confirm, she stressed, saying that the true figures are likely higher.

“It’s been the worst summer on record for autism and wandering in terms of fatalities,” McIlwain said. “We’re trying to get the word out to parents to be extra vigilant. We usually see two or three deaths per month on average. Now we’re seeing two or three a week.”

Most of the drowning cases this summer have involved children ages 9 or under who were found in natural bodies of water, often ponds, according to the alert.

A 2012 study found that kids with autism were four times more likely to wander than other children. Among those on the spectrum, about half who eloped were gone long enough to be considered “missing.”

Wandering is more common during warmer months, the alert said, when kids play outside and are in less familiar spaces while on vacation or after a move.

Family gatherings present some of the highest risk situations for kids with autism who may be bothered by noise or overstimulated, McIlwain said, noting that singing “Happy Birthday” is a common trigger.

In addition to the drownings this summer, the alert indicates that there have been 12 “very close calls,” including situations where children have been rescued in water. In one instance, a child was hospitalized in intensive care and in another case a father drowned while trying to save his child who was ultimately rescued by an aunt.

“These rescues have been in the nick of time,” said McIlwain. “We tell everyone to call 911 immediately. Avoid going door to door — search all nearby water first. Those first few minutes, even seconds, are critical.”

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