Download our Big Red Safety Toolkit for First
Responders
here.
Download our First Responder Brochure
here.
Download our one-sheeter for Law Enforcement
here.
Download our Search Checklist
here.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children has recently published an important
document for first responders and search and rescue
personnel for cases involving an individual with
special needs. Please
visit this link,
print and share this document with your staff.
If you work in law enforcement, chances are you will
encounter a child or adult with autism, or be
involved in searching for an individual with autism
who has wandered away. An increase in autism cases
(up from one in 10,000 in the 80’s to one in 88
today) is likely the reason for more wandering cases
and deaths, and first responders play a critical
role in preventing these deaths.
Individuals with autism are often attracted to
water, yet have little to no sense of danger.
Drowning is a leading cause of death in children
with autism.
There are four important tools that can be used to
improve response time and prevent fatalities
including:
1) Having readily
available information about an individual with
autism
2) Technology, such as tracking technology or
Reverse 911
3) Alert Systems, such as Endangered Missing
Advisories
4) Training on how to properly interact with a
person who has autism.
GATHERING INFORMATION
ABOUT A PERSON WITH AUTISM WHO MAY WANDER:
Having detailed information on file about someone
with autism can be very effective in locating them
quickly. If your agency does not have a program in
place specific to autism wandering, consider
distributing a First Responder Form through your web
site or grassroots initiatives. Forms may also be
found in multiple languages at
http://autismriskmanagement.com. Having
caregivers fill out this information before their
child with autism wanders could give your agency a
head start in properly responding to an emergency
situation. A database software called “Take Me Home”
is free and available to agencies. To learn more
about Take Me Home, contact Officer Jimmy Donohoe at
850.436.5416 or
Jdonohoe@ci.pensacola.fl.us.
TAKING A 5W “JUST ADD WATER” APPROACH TO
PREVENTION & RESPONSE
When asking a caregiver questions about their child
with autism, be sure to take a 5W approach: Who,
What, Where, When, Water.
WHO: this would include the basic details
about the child/adult, as well as the official
diagnosis, cognitive age, and any identifiable
mannerisms or unique behaviors. WHAT: what are the child’s likes or dislikes?
For example, if the child likes Elmo’s voice, this
may be a valuable tool during search-and-rescue
efforts, while understanding their dislikes may help
prevent complications during a search. WHERE: where does the caregiver think the
child might go, or be? Listen to caregivers for
clues, they know the child best. WHEN: when has the child wandered before and
how were they located? WATER: ask about, and document, nearby water
sources. Always search water sources first.
Sixty-eight percent of children with autism who died
between 2009 & 2011 were found in a pond, creek,
lake or river.
TRACKING TECHNOLOGY & REVERSE 911 FOR AGENCIES
There are various resources to help law enforcement
agencies. The cost to implement tracking programs is
extremely low compared to one search-and-rescue
effort. To learn more about tracking programs,
please visit
www.ProjectLifesaver.org
or
www.LoJackSafetyNet.com.
You can also enroll your agency into A Child Is
Missing Program. This Reverse 911 is FREE to
agencies, and will send an automated call to
neighborhoods where a missing child was last seen.
Visit
www.achildismissing.org
or call 954.763.1288.
ENDANGERED MISSING ADVISORIES
Because there have been numerous cases where a child
with autism was found by a member of the public,
it’s important to review alert guidelines within
your state and issue an Endangered Missing Advisory
(EMA). Many children with autism who appear old
enough to walk alone are often at great risk,
especially those that are nonverbal, cannot ask for
help, or are unable to respond to their name. For
EMA GUIDELINES (Free Service) visit
www.ncjrs.gov.
