Autism and Water Safety: What Every Parent Needs to Know (S8E25)

Aug 7, 2025

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This week, we’re talking about something every autism parent needs to think about—but many don’t until it’s too late: water safety and wandering. If you’ve ever felt the panic of not knowing where your child went or struggled to keep them safe near water, this episode is for you.

I’m joined by Dr. Molly O’Shea, a pediatrician with the American Academy of Pediatrics, autism mom, and the official pediatrician for Goldfish Swim School. We explore the very real risks around drowning in the autism community and what parents can do to keep their neurodivergent kids safe—starting as early as infancy.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why autistic children are at significantly higher risk of drowning
The connection between wandering and sensory-driven curiosity
How kids on the spectrum process water differently
Why swim lessons need to start earlier than most parents realize
How swim programs like Goldfish adapt to neurodivergent learners
Why swimming builds more than safety—it builds confidence and cognitive development
What parents can expect from a sensory-friendly swim program

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Guest Bio:

Dr. Molly O’Shea is a board-certified pediatrician, autism mom, and the official pediatrician for Goldfish Swim School. With over 30 years of experience, she consults nationally on sensory-friendly care and water safety for kids of all developmental profiles.

Goldfish Swim School: goldfishswimschool.com

Host Bio:

Rob Gorski is a single dad to three autistic kids, the voice behind The Autism Dad blog, and host of The Autism Dad Podcast. Rob shares honest, experience-based insights to help families feel more supported and less alone.