WINTER PARK, Fla. – In 2019, 2-year-old Alijah Gonzalez drowned while vacationing with her parents in Florida.
Alijah had recently been diagnosed with autism before the tragedy. “It is devastating for any mother,” said Dr. Neina Mehta.
Dr. Mehta is a Neurodevelopmental Pediatrician at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. She said drowning continues to be the number one cause of death for children with an autism spectrum disorder.
She says children with autism are very attracted to water. [TRENDING: Amber Alert for missing Fla. girl | COVID symptoms persist year after man wakes from coma | Tornadoes hit Polk County] “We’re not sure exactly why that is the case.