Memphis rapper and autism advocate, Kia Shine launching new water safety initiatives for children diagnosed with autism
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – More than a day after a missing 5-year-old boy’s body was found in a pond near a family member’s home, we’re learning more about water safety for children diagnosed with autism.
5-year-old Kayden Nolen was found dead Thursday afternoon; his cause of death has not been determined.
Kayden went missing Wednesday evening at the Riverview Apartments in Fox Meadows.
Memphis Police say he disappeared while in the care of his aunt, who fell asleep watching him.
After a 19-hour search, Kayden’s body was found in a lake located on the complex’s property on Thursday.
His family says he was diagnosed with autism and would frequently run away.
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children with autism.
Memphis rapper, actor, and autism advocate Kia Shine Coleman and his wife, Alecia, are using their nonprofit Autism Advocates to partner with the YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-South, teaching kids water safety.
“It’s not in vain, because I hope this lights a fire under everyone in this city to understand how important this particular subject matter is,” said Coleman. “If he had water safety, would he still be alive today? Elopement happens with your child with autism. They run off. They do it at times. Wandering. It’s a part of it. But at the end of the day, if the water safety training had been there, could the child have been saved? I just can’t continue seeing this take place. We can’t as an organization with Autism Advocates.”
Coleman says they’re calling this initiative “Aquatism”.
He adds they’re also partnering with the City of Memphis.
Once it begins, they hope to get this training for children during the school day and in the summer.
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