After a boy's death, a move to protect autistic children from drowning
10-week water safety pilot project led by Inclusion Ministry to begin in March
Children with autism are to be offered specialised water safety lessons, as part of a pilot project aimed at reducing the risks of accidental drownings.
The project will target children on the autism spectrum aged three to five across a 10-week period starting in March. Qualified coaches will lead the sessions, which will be held in an indoor heated pool.
Parents and legal guardians will also be taught water safety skills to help protect their children.
The initiative comes months after a six-year-old boy with autism, Zaylen Borg, drowned in a private swimming pool after wandering away from his parents.
Children with autism are at a massive 160 times greater risk of drowning than average, a study carried out by the Irving Medical Centre at Columbia University found.
The pilot project was launched by Inclusion Minister Julia Farrugia, who said it would help build a fairer, safer and stronger society.
“Inclusion is a fundamentali right, not a privilege,” she said.
Leanne Xuereb Ungaro, head coach at Just Keep Swimming Malta, said the sessions would also help children acquire confidence while in the water.
The pilot project is open to all children holding an EU Disability Card, ministry director general Stephanie Rocco explained.
Applications can be submitted online at www.inclusion.gov.mt by filling in the Water Safety for Autistic Kids and Parental Skills Programme – Collaboration form. The application deadline is Friday, February 20. More information can be obtained by contacting strategysupport.miv@gov.mt.