Autism Wandering – How Do You Spread the Word?
September 12, 2017
Parents of children with autism are working hard to spread awareness about the diagnosis. Social acceptance and awareness are both critical to ensuring that these children grow into successful adults and are kept safe in their journey. However, parents can’t do this alone. Their advocacy is what drove Kevin and Avonte’s Law into action, but it is now up to our communities to spread the word of the dangers of wandering and what can be done to prevent it.
Wandering is a common danger for children with autism.
Parents fear every day that their child will elope from even the safest places, such as home or school. Many parents have referenced too many “close calls” with children who were found near bodies of water or high-traffic areas. More specifically, drowning is one of the biggest safety concerns of children with autism, because of their tendency to wander and inability to perceive danger accurately. This is a harsh reality for families who are desperate to keep their children safe, but until now, have not had the resources to enlist community assistance.
Education and training will be available.
Spreading awareness starts with education. With the new funding that will be available, thanks to Kevin and Avonte’s Law, non-profit organizations can access resources that will help caregivers prevent wandering, and even offer training for emergency response teams. Everyone in the community has the potential to be an ally of children with autism, and by understanding the prevalence of wandering, lives can be saved. Wandering is not an isolated incident, and your organization will have tools that will prevent wandering as well as recover those who have gone missing.
Organizations need to advocate, too.
Advertising assistive technology, such as GPS trackers, can assist those in the community with secure monitoring of children with autism. These devices can also be life-changing for families who are desperate for a solution in a time where information and awareness is limited. Families of children with autism need people and agencies in their community, especially organizations with access to special funding, to help spread awareness about the dangers of wandering. You can play a role in your community by offering the appropriate training to all staff and volunteers, as well as to the community at large. Don’t let ignorance be a barrier to protecting vulnerable children. Reach out to families, schools, and other organizations that assist children with special needs to inform them of the resources available.
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