Are You Prepared for an Autism Emergency?

 

To ensure safety and lower risk for a child or adult with autism, parents and care providers will need to become proactive and prepare an informational handout.

A leading cause for concern are children and adults who run away or wander from parents and care providers. Tragically, children and adults with autism are often attracted to water sources such as pools, ponds, and lakes.

 

Drowning is a leading cause of death for a child or adult who has autism.

Wandering can occur anywhere at anytime. The first time is often the worst time. Another concern is preparation in the event that you become incapacitated or injured while caring for a person with autism at home or in the community.

An informational handout should be developed, copied and carried with you at all times--at home, in your car, purse or wallet. Also circulate this handout to family members, trusted neighbors, friends and co-workers. The handout will also come in handy if you are in an area other than your neighborhood and are approached by the police.

 

If wandering is a concern, contact law enforcement, fire and ambulance agencies. Ask your local 911 call center to "red flag" this information in their 911 computer data base. Dispatchers can alert patrol officers about your concerns before they arrive. When we provide law enforcement with key information before an incident occurs, we can expect better responses.

 

Autism Emergency Contact Handout Model - Be prepared

1. Name of child or adult
2. Current photograph and physical description including height, weight, eye and hair color, any scars or other identifying marks
3. Identify your child's favorite song, toy or character
4. Names, home, cell and pager phone numbers and addresses of parents, other caregivers and emergency contact persons
5. Sensory, medical, or dietary issues and requirements, if any
6. Inclination for elopement and any atypical behaviors or characteristics that may attract attention
7. Favorite attractions and locations where person may be found
8. Likes, dislikes--approach and de-escalation techniques
9. A list of things that frighten your child
10. Method of communication, if non-verbal sign language, picture boards, written word
11. ID wear jewelry, tags on clothes, printed handout card
12. Map and address guide to nearby properties with water sources and dangerous locations highlighted
13. Blueprint or drawing of home, with bedrooms of individual highlighted