Tagged with " Wandering"
Aug 3, 2012 - Autism    1 Comment

Autism and Wandering-Big Red Safety Box

I’ve been checking periodically to see if there were any Big Red Safety Boxes available for families who are raising children with autism who may wander. Today when I checked it says: We are now taking applications for our free Big Red Safety Boxes. We have only 2,000 boxes available and expect them to be gone very quickly, so don’t delay in submitting your application.

If you don’t know what this is please see my post here which includes pictures and information or simply go to their website and read about it here.

If you don’t need the kit, already have the kit, or want to just purchase your own items perhaps you can consider donating so families who may not be able to afford these items can get one of these kits for free.

May 15, 2011 - Autism    3 Comments

Big Red Safety Box-Photos and Information

We received our Big Red Safety Box yesterday.Unfortunately the funds have been depleted so you can no longer receive these for free but the good news is you can really create this on your own. First for those of you who may have this coming or if they get more funds (I will keep an eye out and pass along the information if more become available!) I wanted to show you what is inside:

Big Red Safety Box

Who’s Shoes Id’s-We use these for Adrian and ours are very worn out so I am happy to have new ones. Adrian has never messed with these tags and I know that would not be the case with a necklace or bracelet so these are a great alternative. There is space to write your child’s name, parent’s name, emergency phone number, physicians name, physicians phone number, medical conditions, and date of birth. We have been able to secure these to sandles, sneakers, and boots and they have never fallen off.

These alarms can be attached to doors or windows and will sound if the window or door is opened if they are switched on:

And it came with laminated “Stop” signs which I have never used before but that visual support could make all the difference:

Lastly a folder was included with a pamphlet about autism and wandering, caregiver checklist, elopement alert form, family wandering emergency plan, and a sample of a wandering prevention IEP letter:

So even though these aren’t available for free you can assemble your own kit for about $17.98

Shoe Tags-7.99
Door Alarm 2 pack-9.99-
Printable Stop Sign-Free
And all four safety forms to print-Free

Even if your child isn’t prone to wandering right now, it’s better safe then sorry. Even people who don’t have children with autism-some young children also wander and it’s just not worth the risk when you can make them safer for under 20 bucks. In a survey conducted by the National Autism Association 92% of parents indicated that their child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder wandered and the number one cause of death among children with autism is drowning.

May 11, 2011 - Autism    4 Comments

Autism and Wandering-Link Sharing

Two more tragedies to remind us that we have to keep thinking about Wandering Prevention:

Muhammad Azfar
Adam Benhamama

Many prayers going out to their families, I just cannot imagine the grief. I am so sorry to have to share these links but it’s just the reality of dealing with autism and the symptom of wandering that goes with it.

Here is another story of a 23 year old man with autism who wandered 30 miles from his home! Can you imagine how scared he was and how scared his family must have been? I’m so glad he made it home safely.

I noticed that the Big Red Safety Box had their fund depleted because of the overwhelming response to receive the kits. I haven’t received our kit but I will be sure to share about it when I receive it. I went searching for some autism and wandering tips to share with you so check out these links about autism safety and wandering:

Autism and Wandering Prevention on Facebook

Autism and Elopement: 8 Tips for Parents

Summertime Safety Tips

Alzheimer’s and Autism Wandering Safety Tips

Pathfinders for Autism

As of right now we use Shoe ID Tags for Adrian, we use high locks on the doors, and cheap door alarms. Adrian isn’t incredibly prone to wandering but I don’t trust him not to either. As he gets older I’m sure I will have to implement new safety measures but this is what we do for now.