Water Safety & Autism with Dayna Harvey

David discusses the critical topic of water safety for children on the autism spectrum with guest Dayna Harvey. Dayna is the founder of the Swim Safety with Miss Dayna program. She shares her journey from Vancouver to Roanoke, Virginia, and highlights her innovative approaches to teaching water safety, especially for neurodivergent children. The episode emphasizes the high drowning risks among autistic children and the lack of necessary certifications in swim instruction. Dayna introduces her Waiting Whales Water Safety Kit, a tool designed to teach children to wait safely around water. She stresses the importance of proper swim lesson structures and offers practical advice for parents seeking swim programs. The episode aims to provide hope, support, and actionable strategies to prevent drownings and ensure the safety of all children.

Topics

00:55 Today's Urgent Topic: Water Safety and Autism

01:32 Meet Dayna Harvey: Swim Safety Advocate

02:35 Dayna's Journey and Experience

05:41 Challenges and Misconceptions in Water Safety

09:34 The Importance of Vigilance and Structured Learning

16:33 Innovative Approaches to Water Safety

23:56 Introduction to the Water Safety Kit

24:00 Using Barricade Tape for Water Safety

26:25 Creating Safe Zones Around Water

28:03 The Importance of Consistency and Visual Tools

28:23 Introducing Jackson's Blue Kickboard

29:16 Building Waiting Skills with the Kickboard

31:03 Availability and Importance of the Water Safety Kit

33:31 Tip of the Week: Choosing the Right Swim Program

37:57 Autism Fact or Fiction: Swimming Edition

41:40 Final Thoughts and Encouragement