Ga. mother advocates for more water safety resources for children with autism

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A Georgia mother is advocating for more water safety resources aimed at children with autism.

Heather Boatwright-Mimms has a 5-year-old son on the spectrum, she wants to help other parents keep kids like hers safe.

Boatwright-Mimms’ son Matthew was diagnosed with autism in March.

Burke County hosts FEMA resource fair for Hurricane Helene victims

FEMA hosted a resource fair and provided educational funding resources for Burke County Hurricane Helene victims.

FEMA held a housing resource fair in Waynesboro.

Since then, the Savannah mother has been searching for resources to help her nonverbal 5-year-old.

One thing she’s noticed is that there aren’t many swim classes designed for children with autism in the community.

“He’s learning how to properly get into the pool. He’s learning not to run, you know, towards bodies of water, which is also important because autistic kids are drawn to water. It is very calming; it is very soothing to them. So, I feel like that added on with the lessons—the water safety and the lessons—they go hand-in-hand,” said Boatwright-Mimms.

So far, he’s already learned how to get in and out of the pool safely and not to run into the water on his own.

‘Makes me feel at home’: Ga. teens in state custody get own prom

Some teens and children have pasts of trauma or neglect at no fault of their own. And some of them in Georgia are getting their own prom.

They are in state custody at no fault of their own; tonight they are getting ready for prom

Boatwright-Mimms said if there were more swim classes for children with autism in the community, there would be less drownings and tragic outcomes.

She also said connecting parents with water safety resources and other parents with children on the spectrum can help them feel less alone.

“The more we are proactive with our parents and the more we are offering these things and really taking a look and working with the parents that actually have children that are on the spectrum, which is very important, we’re able to get that and come up with programs that service the actual community that’s needing those programs,” said Boatwright-Mimms.