everything else that they’re dealing with, that fight-or-flight reaction happens quite often.” Typically, the main triggers for children with ASD to wander off are noise, stressful situations or commotion, McIlwain said. Especially during the summer months, when there are more outings, it’s easier for children with ASD to become overstimulated and “slip away” to head toward water.

It is a common assumption that when a child with ASD drowns, they have accidentally fallen into water. However, in McIlwain’s experience, most of the time the child had entered the water willingly.

According to McIlwain, adults with autism who wandered toward water bodies in their youth claimed they were aware of their actions, but almost couldn’t stop themselves.

“So there’s an impulsivity here,” she said. “For certain individuals and other individuals, they absolutely do not have that safety awareness. So really, it does depend on the individual, but most of the time they’re going to a quiet area because they are overstimulated.”

Parents of children on the autism spectrum have a genuine fear of their child wandering away. Bischoff said he’s met with parents who go to extreme lengths to protect their children. Some sleep on their child’s bedroom floor to prevent nighttime escapes, while others install security cameras inside their homes to ensure their child doesn’t slip away unnoticed.

“It’s a difficult road some of these parents really walked down each and every day,” said Bischoff. “They’re doing their absolute best to prepare to protect these children who have autism.”

Bischoff suggests that parents enroll their children in swimming lessons at their local YMCA to keep them safe from drowning.

“People just need to really educate themselves on the topic and if they have a child who has autism, to understand the possibilities that could happen and the unfortunate outcomes that could happen.” j disabilityscoop.com

While children with ASD struggle with verbal communication, social relations, and sensory development, creative art-making activities enable them to foster new means of self-expression and communication. Utilizing two educational components — hands-on art workshops and the museum galleries — the Autism Creates program harnesses art and art-making activities as means of promoting expression and social interaction among children with ASD and their teachers, caregivers, and peers. Monthly workshops are hosted on-site at MOCA Jacksonville for up to 10 children with ASD and their families. Families will explore the galleries, create art, and participate in sensory activities. Held the second Saturday of each month from 10am to 11am. There is no cost to attend, but space is limited, and registration is required. MOCA Jacksonville / 904-366-6911 / 333 North Laura Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / mocajacksonville.unf.edu

Sensory Story Time

June 14, July 18, 10am to 11am

Sensory Story Time is a monthly playgroup for children between the ages of 3 to 6 years who are registered with CARD or FDLRS-MDC. The focus of the group is to offer a safe, comfortable space for children and their parent(s) to participate in story time together. Sensory story time differs from traditional story time by offering hands-on participation, sensory input, and movement activities to help children stay engaged. Parents will learn strategies to encourage story time at home and in the community (like the local library). Sensory story time is also an opportunity for parents to network with other parents of children with developmental delays. Free to attend, but please register, as space is limited to eight children.

UF Neurodevelopmental Pediatric Center / 904633-0760 / 6271 St Augustine Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32217 / ufhealthjax.org

CARD Retro Diner • June 14, 5pm to 7pm

Adults with autism spectrum disorder will have the opportunity to engage in facilitated social conversations with peers in person set at a dining location. This event will provide social and life skills via topics discussed, interactions, and hands-on activities and routines. Parents are welcome to join and participate by dining at a table of their own and enjoying themselves together during the time of the group. They are not required to participate but must be present and remain on location unless the adult is responsible for their own transportation. Additionally, participants will be fully responsible for ordering, requesting, paying, and socializing for themselves.

Metro Diner / 904-633-0760 / 12807 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223 / pediatrics.med.jax.ufl.edu

CARD Orientation Overview for Transi- tion-Age Teens and Adults • June 14, 4pm

This evening orientation is an overview of statewide CARD services for transition-age teens and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or a related disability. Registration for CARD services will be conducted at this orientation session. Transition-age teens with ASD who are under the age of 18 should be accompanied by a legal guardian who is over the age of 18. Adults with ASD are welcome to invite other family members who serve as means of support in their lives to register and attend the orientation session. Registrants will be asked to submit documentation of their qualifying diagnosis to complete the requirements needed to access CARD services. Please contact brett. walden@jax.ufl.edu for more information. The meeting will be held online via Zoom. Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) / 904-244-3056 / pediatrics.med.jax.ufl.edu

GIRLS – Girls in Real Life Situations

June 27, 5pm to 6pm

CARD Jacksonville is hosting an experiential learning workshop based on the Girls in Real Life Situations curriculum. These online sessions will focus on developing a healthy body image, understanding the impact of our choices, communication, emotions, friendships, relationships, self-esteem, stress, and more. The activities will be adapted for virtual environments. As girls progress through the lessons, they will have to demonstrate critical-thinking skills, self-control and self-discipline, use oral, written and listening skills to express themselves, create positive friendships with other students, and more. Attendance at all sessions is strongly encouraged. Open to girls in 6-12th grades. Meeting will be held virtually on Zoom. CARD Jacksonville / 904-633-0760 / pediatrics.med.jax.ufl.edu

Vincent's Clubhouse Support Group

June 28, July 26, 6:15pm to 7:30pm

Vincent's Clubhouse, Inc. is a 501c3 organization that is dedicated to serving children with autism and their families by hosting inclusive social events, summer camps, support groups, and advocacy work. Join them in a welcoming environment for parents and caregivers of children and young adults with autism and other special needs to meet, share experiences, and give each other support. Free. Vincent's Clubhouse / 386-585-0926 / 11 Pheasant Dr, Palm Coast, FL 32164 / www.vincentsclubhouse.org

Supporting Back-To-School Routines for Children with ASD

July 10, 12noon to 1pm

In this training, parents and caregivers will learn about effective supports, strategies, and resources to help children to follow routines and schedules to assist them in successfully transitioning from Summer Break to the classroom environment. Free, but please register online in advance.

FAU CARD / 561-235-8412 / www.fau.edu