Safety

Families are encouraged to create safety plans to identify safety risks and prevent emergencies. Ready.gov has a step-by-step guide to creating a plan with your family in the event of an emergency. The Autism Community in Action (TACA) created a safety guide for eloping behaviors, water safety, pica and household toxins, interactions with first-responders, and internet safety.

Families are also encouraged to complete an Emergency Information Form (EIF) (PDF) with important health information in the event of an emergency. The form can be handed to medical staff or first responders so they will know your child’s medical history and information.

This form can be filled out by your primary care provider, but you can also use your child’s health records to complete the form yourself. Consider printing copies and sharing them with neighbors, friends, family, school staff, childcare providers and others. You can also keep an electronic copy on your smart phone or other devices.

Autism Society of MN also has Emergency Preparedness resources.

Wandering

Wandering is the tendency for a person to try to leave the safety of a responsible person’s care or a safe area, which can result in potential harm or injury. This might include running off from adults at school or in the community, leaving the classroom without permission, or leaving the house when the family is not looking. This behavior is considered common and short-lived in toddlers, but it may persist or re-emerge in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This behavior may also be described as elopement, bolting, fleeing or running.

The National Autism Association provides information and resources for families to prevent wandering, including a Caregiver Toolkit, First Responder Toolkit and Teacher Toolkit.

Project Lifesaver is a community based, public safety, non-profit organization that provides law enforcement, fire/rescue, and caregivers with a program designed to protect, and when necessary, quickly locate individuals with ASD and other conditions who are prone to the life threatening behavior of wandering.

AngelSense is a GPS tracking device designed for those with autism to provide:

Protection from wandering & bullying

Increased level of inclusion

Greater independence & confidence

Peace of mind to parents & caregivers

The child or young adult wears a sensory-friendly non-removable device. The caregiver receives proactive alerts & live location sharing on a mobile app. You can receive immediate alerts about your child’s location, and live location sharing with search teams.

A caregiver can get immediate alerts when their child elopes or is in an unexpected place. A 2-way voice with auto pickup speakerphone feature allows you to talk to your child at any time. Tell your child to stop or calm them down, or talk to people nearby. AngelSense may be covered through Family Support Grants, waiver funding or other funding options. Discuss coverage options with your child’s case manager.

SafeinHome’s Intelligent System integrates multiple technologies and sensors with 24-HourRemote Support Specialists for superior accuracy and real-time response to provide support to mitigate elopement or wandering. SafeinHome’s Intelligent System passively senses activity and inactivity in the home and can send alerts according to the Individualized Care Plan. In addition, friendly Remote Support Specialists can routinely check-in to support learning and independence with daily habits. Ask your case manager about funding these resources through waiver or grant dollars.

The Dangers of Wandering in Children with Autism (PDF) resource. Translations available in Hmong, Karen, Oromo, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese.

raises awareness around the prevalence of children with autism to wander

outlines prevention strategies, and

summarizes steps to take if a child goes missing.

First Responders

Due to differences in communication and social interaction skills, a person with autism may not respond or even appear defiant, when interacting with unfamiliar people, such as first responders.

Autism Society of MN offers training for officers and emergency responders.

First responders will learn about autism and de-escalation strategies.

For example, troopers learn that an autistic person may seem as if they’re “acting guilty” by displaying such behaviors as lack of eye contact, responding slowly (or not at all) to questions, and changing the subject.

They also learn strategies for dealing with these behaviors, such as speaking in short sentences without slang or metaphors (autistic people tend to take things literally), giving the person room and avoiding touching them, and using low, calming body language and voices.

Utilize Sensory kits with headphones and sunglasses to help calm the person.

Bullying

The Special needs anti-bullying toolkit includes a set of resources for people to confront bullying of children with special needs from all angles - from talking to your children, to knowing your rights, to teaching tolerance in schools.

Water Safety

Teaching your child with autism how to swim AND helping them develop water safety skills from a young age is critical in order to keep your child safe. The Autism Community in Action (TACA) has resources for water safety and swimming skills.

CDC Water Safety has tips to stay safe around water.

The MN Department of Natural Resources (DNR) created a water safety coloring and activity book (PDF) to instruct children on the basics of boat and water safety. The DNR also has instructions on selecting a life jacket for your child.

Go to Community and Recreation for information on swim lessons and other programs.

Reducing Physical and Sexual Abuse

The Autism Community in Action (TACA) provides risk reduction strategies to help families protect their children from physical and sexual abuse.

Fire Safety

Individuals with autism are at high risk during a fire. They may not respond to their name when called or be able to call out for help. They may also hide somewhere in the home, making it difficult for caregivers and firefighters to locate them.

Here are a few strategies to keep everyone safe in the event of a fire:

Be sure that a smoke detector is placed in or near the person's room, as well as on all levels of the home. Test those smoke detectors frequently to make sure they are in working order.

Practice basic fire safety with the person (e.g., “stop, drop and roll”; touching a door before opening it). Create an emergency exit plan and practice it often. This includes picking a gathering spot outside the home.
- Designate one family member to help assist the autistic person out of the home and to a place of safety during a fire.
- Ensure that someone stays with the individual so they do not re-enter the home or elope from the area if they become overwhelmed with the lights, siren and unfamiliar people.
- If you have any direct support professionals that come into your home, make sure they are also aware of the plan. A therapist or OT may also be able to assist in developing and training the plan.

Visit the firehouse to help the person become more familiar with the equipment, vehicles, sights and sounds of the first responders. Share information with the fire department on where the person’s room is located in the home and review the exit plan with them to ensure everyone is aware.

Source: Minnesota Autism Resource Portal