The heartbreaking story of 4-year-old Waylon Childs, who was found dead a body of water in Ormond Beach on Sunday, has brought renewed attention to a critical issue: The heightened risk of drowning among children with autism.

There are several sensory-friendly places and attractions to visit in Central Florida.

Bridgett Ellison talked to certified behavior analyst Shaun Lalime, who is also the center director for Florida Autism Center’s Kissimmee location.

World Autism Awareness Day is April 2 and the whole month is dedicated to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex recognized as a certified autism center

LEGOLAND Florida was the first LEGOLAND park in North America to become a Certified Autism Center and with four quiet spaces and sensory guides all over the park, they’re making it easy for families to plan a vacation and get the most out of it.

An annual partnership with the University of Central Florida and the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando is wrapping up, with a concert catering to those with autism or other special needs.

A teacher who helps preside over a program for students with autism, Carrie Jones knows full well some aspects the general public might not understand.

Above the Wake, a nonprofit aimed at creating positive experiences on the water for children with autism, held its annual autism awareness event in Orlando over the weekend.

The 11th annual Surfers for Autism event in Flagler Beach has been moved due to beach erosion on the north side of the Pier, according to the Flagler Beach Police Department.

Legoland Florida Resort is officially designated as a certified autism center, making it the first theme park resort to receive this certification.

Every parent has a different story when it comes to their kids’ growth and development.

A Flagler County firefighter is making sure his team is prepared in the case they run into a child with autism.

A Central Florida nonprofit that serves children and adults with autism is expanding its services, which include helping participants gain skills and confidence on the stage and in their everyday lives.

Considering this month is an important time to learn more about autism, we thought we’d ask you, our readers and viewers: If any of you have a close connection to autism spectrum disorder (perhaps you’ve been diagnosed, or you have a friend or child with autism), is there anything you wish more people understood?

5 things to know about neurodiversity and why it's becoming a hot topic.

Considering this month is an important time to learn more about autism, we thought we’d ask you, our readers and viewers: If any of you have a close connection to autism spectrum disorder (perhaps you’ve been diagnosed, or you have a friend or child with autism), is there anything you wish more people understood?

April is Autism Awareness Month, and to support families with children on the spectrum, a state representative and an Orlando city commissioner are teaming up to connect the community with resources.

One way to cope with any extra stress or anxiety is to have the kids engage in play time to help develop motor skills, social skills and language development, according to Dr. Jen Harstein, a children’s developmental psychologist who works with autistic children daily.

A family in Lake County is making it their mission to provide a safe and fun space for kids and adults who have autism or other disabilities.

Autism can be explained medically as a bio-neurological development disability, but to get into the nuanced details is quite a bit more complicated.

As World Autism Awareness Month is about to begin, we highlight what Central Florida has to offer with multiple sensory-friendly activities, as well as resources for families with members on the autism spectrum. Here is a list of some of those places, ranging from theme parks to resource centers.

A young boy’s parents are grateful to a police officer who showed up at their home after an unusual 911 call from their 12-year-old son with autism.

The creators of the show, “Farm! A Musical Experience,” designed the play specifically for children with autism, and for other kids who are neurodiverse.

The all-new Peppa Pig Theme Park will open as a certified autism center, leaders announced Tuesday at the IAAPA Expo at the Orange County Convention Center.

For much of his life, Timothy Rohrer, a now-young adult who was diagnosed with autism as a second-grader, has dealt with exclusion from his peers.

For Anthony and Sammy Taormina, there are two dates that define their lives as people with Asperger’s syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder.

Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff's Office said they launched a program to assist emergency responders to help people with autism.

Track and field and swimming are among the team sports that might be best for children with autism.

An Orlando waterpark hosted a very special event this weekend for over 40 children with autism and other disabilities.

Finding love can be hard for anyone.

April has widely been known as Autism Awareness Month in the U.S., as a way to empower people living with autism and their families.

These instruments provide good and simple ways for children with autism or other sensory disorders to develop motor skills and have fun.

April is Autism Acceptance Month, and for students with autism at Thornebrooke Elementary School in Ocoee, inclusion is a daily focus.

Kaitlyn Cline created "Talk About Autism Tuesdays" to spread awareness throughout the whole school year.

An Orlando theater company that serves children and adults with autism is bringing back live theater during the COVID-19 pandemic.

There’s a new friend in the neighborhood!“ Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” that is.

Autism may bring challenges for those who live with it, but celebrities with autism have shown they can achieve tremendous things and fulfill their dreams.

SeaWorld celebrates Autism Acceptance Month with Sesame Street character

Disney offers a special card for those who have trouble waiting in long lines because of a disability.

For fans of Julia, the 4-year-old Muppet with autism on “Sesame Street,” you are in luck.

After dealing with exclusion by his peers over the years, Timothy Rohrer, a now-young adult who was diagnosed with autism as a second-grader, penned and published a pamphlet in which he basically guides people on how to treat those with disabilities.

Nationally and internationally, April is a big month for autism awareness.

Jaxon Maples is a 4-year-old boy with autism, and many days, he has trouble communicating and speaking clearly. But there is one place where those things aren’t a problem for him.

Comedian Amy Schumer took to Instagram earlier this week to ask if anyone would be interested in seeing a docuseries about her pregnancy and birth. She was met with a slew of positive comments, although there always has to be that one person online who just goes too far, right? Don’t forget: Schumer’s husband, chef and cookbook author Chris Fischer, has high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. Schumer devoted a few minutes of her special earlier this year to the topic. Schumer wasn’t going to roll past that autism comment.

I struggled to fit in with my neurotypical peers at school, my job, on social media, and even at a teen youth group. Posted by Tim Rohrer - Tips4Inclusion on Saturday, April 13, 2019Rohrer’s mother, Amy, said her son has gotten a remarkable response. This guide will help you get a better understanding of people with disabilities and what they really need in their lives. The signs of a disability as listed above are involuntary and it does not make up who they really are. Invite them to parties such as birthday parties, pool parties, BBQ parties, graduation parties, Halloween parties, Christmas parties, and Sweet 16’s.

As April draws closer to its close, perhaps it's the right time to stop and reflect on all the autism outreach and autism awareness campaigns that the month has brought. For example, by now, some people are aware that a good handful of iconic buildings "go blue" in honor of World Autism Awareness Day. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Autism SpeaksAnd check out this international soccer match, held in Mexico on April 7. Hector Vivas/Getty ImagesFinally, did you know people in the baseball community are working toward creating a universally accessible Dodgers Dreamfield at Jack Bulik Park? Photo by Rachel Luna/Getty ImagesDid you catch any local events that took place in your community?

Could there be a connection between a mother’s exposure to pesticides during her pregnancy, and an increased risk for autism in her child? Scientists have been researching the potential effects of pesticide exposure on infants and developing fetuses, and they recently determined that exposure to the most commonly used pesticides was in fact linked to a higher risk of autism spectrum disorder. When they looked at diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder that also came with intellectual disabilities, they found on average 30% higher rates among children who were exposed to the pesticides while in utero. Perhaps that’s why Ondine S. von Ehrenstein, an associate professor at UCLA who led the study, chose to examine these pesticides in humans. Some women might not even know if they’re exposed to pesticides, or about the areas in which they live.

Colorado has become the latest state to add autism spectrum disorders to the list of disabling medical conditions eligible for medical marijuana treatment. Colorado is now the ninth state to include autism as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, joining Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Utah, according to an article on mammausa.org. Puerto Rico also includes autism as a qualifying condition. While they haven’t officially declared autism as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, other states are considered “autism friendly” and allow for doctor discretion in prescribing medical marijuana, according to the article. Washington, D.C. also allows for doctor discretion in prescribing medical marijuana for autism.

For fans of Julia, the 4-year-old Muppet with autism on “Sesame Street,” you are in luck. Autism Speaks, a national advocacy organization that sponsors research and conducts awareness activities, has launched a new campaign in conjunction with "Sesame Street" that features Julia and aims to promote early autism screening. The campaign consists of digital, print and resources available in English at ScreenForAutism.org and in Spanish at DeteccionDeAutismo.org. The content highlights the importance of early screening. “There is considerable work to be done in overcoming obstacles that may delay a diagnosis -- the first step toward improved future outcomes,” said Angela Geiger, CEO of Autism Speaks.

Parents of children with autism likely have a lot of questions before, during and after a diagnosis. Frazier took time out of his busy travel schedule during Autism Awareness Month to answer some questions on autism and provide tips for parents. Family and caregiver quality of life are key to successful development for all children, but especially children with autism." Frazier: "In general, parents of children with autism know their child and learn what they can and cannot do. Parents of children with autism who understand how to prompt and reinforce appropriate functional behavior are the most effective parents.

Whether it’s to provide relaxation or to develop coordination or motor skills, playing music instruments is a great activity for kids who have autism. UkuleleStrumming strings on this instrument helps develop motor control, and it has four strings compared to a full-size guitar with six strings. Xylophone/glockenspielAnother small and inexpensive instrument (ranging from $50 to $100), this helps kids with autism develop impulse control and hand-eye coordination. BongosSimply hitting bongos can be a good way to enjoy sound and work off some energy. But if there's a desire to get more in-depth, learning to play them along to music develops hand-eye coordination and motor skills.

For parents of children with autism, some might be understandably hesitant to put them in sports or other leisure activities. While team sports that rely a lot on communication and cooperation might be tougher for some children with autism, there are sports and activities that are great for universal participation, according to an article on verywellhealth.com. Those activities are better suited for kids with autism. Bowling: This is a sport that doesn’t require much communication with other team members to succeed, because it’s so individualized. Individual sports/activitiesHere are some notable non-team sports and activities that can be good for children with autism or other sensory disorders.

Her son, Charlie, inspired her to create Building Pathways, a nonprofit organization in Winter Garden. He hasn't had a friend and he's 17," she said when talking about the social struggles her teenage son faces. "Patty's really taught me to see the person first and the diagnosis second," Jennifer Pinckney, the assistant director of Building Pathways, said. Myers and Pinckney launched the nonprofit organization in June to train them with life, social and job skills and prepare them to face the real world once they've graduated high school. To learn more about the day and summer programs, visit the Building Pathways website.