Safety is an ongoing concern for children and adults with Autism. Most people with autism have a difficult time communicating, understanding and identifying dangerous situations. Common behaviors like wandering from his or her home or other settings also increases their risk of encountering dangerous situations. (Note: Elopement is another term used to describe autism wandering.) Safety also includes situations where a child explores dangerous places at home like gas stove knobs, unbuckling seat belts, or encountering a neighbor’s swimming pool. Communities are trying to build resources to help families and community members, like first responders, to connect and share important information that may help save a life. In addition, GPS tracking and locating devices are now available for parents to prevent losing their children.
Autism Society
Description: Autism Society provides information about a variety of topics for many stages throughout your child’s life. It gives multiple resources to use, tips and tricks, and what they have done to help.
AAoM’s Autism Safety FACTS
Description: The Autism Alliance of Michigan website provides information on how the law enforcement trains and speaks to different populations on how to handle safety situations with children with Autism. They also provide downloadable materials to fill out yourself.
Some forums require you to sign in to Yahoo or Facebook to locate forum names.
Forum/Blog Name: NAA Autism & Safety: Bullying Prevention
Description: Mission to raise awareness concerning autism and bullying.
Forum/Blog Name: NAA Autism & Safety: Wandering Prevention
Description: Mission to reduce autism-related wandering incidents and deaths by raising awareness.
Forum/Blog Name: Friendship Circle Blog
Description: This blog explains the seven different tracking devices available for parents to keep their children with autism safe.
Forum/Blog Name: Think Safety
Description: This forum covers the topics of childhood, adolescent as well as adulthood safety of individuals with autism.