Body found in Denver lake believed to be 11-year-old girl

Denver police believe a body discovered in the water at Rocky Mountain Lake Park on Monday is an 11-year-old girl with autism who wandered from her home.

Police responded to the area of 44th Avenue and Pecos Street around 5:30 a.m. Monday to search for the girl. They immediately began a grid search and initiated a reverse 911 call to those in the area.

At approximately 7:38 a.m., a body was found in Rocky Mountain Lake, near West 47th Avenue and Grove Street in Denver's Berkeley neighborhood. They say foul play is not suspected at this time but the investigation is ongoing.

CBS4 reached out to the nonprofit Firefly Autism. While the circumstances around the tragedy aren't clear, there are some important things to keep in mind when it comes to autism.

In an e-mail the organization said:

"ASD [Autism Spectrum Disorder] is a very broad spectrum, with individuals abilities varying significantly. Children with autism may often struggle with social skills, perspective taking, and understanding safety. It is common for children with autism to wander, or elope, from the supervision of parents or caregivers. Studies indicate that one in four children with autism engage in this behavior, but research on treatment for elopement or wandering is limited. Families, caregivers and educators often struggle with how best to address the issue - it is a very complex issue and given the incredibly individual nature of autism, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. An individual approach to each situation with compassion and understanding is crucial." - Dr. Amanda Kelly/BCBA-D, Executive Director and CEO with Firefly Autism.

The medical examiner's office will release an official cause of death.