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.
National Autism Association Description: This site provides safety information on wandering, restraint/seclusion, and bullying. It also provides information and safety forms that can be download.
AWAARE Collaboration Description: This site is dedicated to helping and providing information specifically about Autism safety. It gives background to the dangers of wondering and information and tools for First Responders, doctors, school administrators.
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: Think Safety Description: This forum covers the topics of childhood, adolescent as well as adulthood safety of individuals with autism.
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: NAA Autism & Safety: Wandering Prevention Description: Mission to reduce autism-related wandering incidents and deaths by raising awareness.
Forum/Blog Name: NAA Autism & Safety: Bullying Prevention Description: Mission to raise awareness concerning autism and bullying.