The front door to our house opened, and Max walked in. "Max, what were you doing outside?" I asked. He'd decided to stand on the porch and wait for some friends to show up; I hadn't heard him leave. Our house has an alarm, and I'd never bothered to put on the alert that tinkles whenever a door is opened. After that, I realized I should.
Max does not wander often, but he has been known to bolt when the mood hits. We had one heart-stopping moment at the airport last year when Dave and Max went to the bathroom while Sabrina and I hung in the sitting area at the gate. All of a sudden, I happened to see Max walking down a corridor alone. Dave had turned around for a few secs and just like that, Max was gone.
It's when I first got a sense of what some parents of kids with autism have to contend with. The tragic story of Avonte Oquendo—a 14-year-old with autism who wandered away from his Long Island, New York school in October and whose remains were found last month—fully brought the issue to the public eye. And now, the U.S. Justice Department will pay for voluntary-use GPS tracking devices for children through the Byrne grant program. The trackers cost about $85 each, and will be distributed via programs local police departments set up.
Children with autism are at particularly high risk for wandering, as many parents well know. It's estimated that half of children with autism are prone to wandering, according to a 2012 article in the journal Pediatrics. The majority of fatalities—60 since 2008—have involved drowning.
The press has largely referenced the Justice Dept. program as being for children with autism, though it is also for kids with other conditions and developmental disorders that put them at risk for flight. Devices can be worn on the wrist, clipped onto shoelaces or belt loops, kept in a wallet or sewn into clothing.
As is often the case, it took a tragedy for change to come about. Avonte's death was in vain, no matter what. But the bill created in his name surely save children's lives.
It seems like it will take some time before the tracker programs are in place. Police departments will be in charge of distributing the trackers, via schools and organizations who will have to apply for them. Make sure your child's school is aware of this.
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My son is a big wonderer (and his tendency to do so, is the inspiration for my blogs name), and we have tried a variety of devices. He's a tricky dude though, and has found a way to get out of most of them. For a while he had an ankle bracelet that sounded an alarm when he breached a preset perimeter. Some how, he got it off and placed the bracelet on top of the transmitter - kind of a "try again" signal!
ReplyDeleteI scare my mom when I'm late to get picked up, so this will come in handy for those times. I just don't want it to fall into a stalker's hands!
ReplyDeleteEllen....
ReplyDeleteI used to wander--or more likely run!!--from my parents as a child. Mom worked through this and trained against it!! Although I still enjoy wandering, even at thirty, doing so does not put me in harm's way anymore. ;)
--Raelyn
I don't know how I feel about putting tracking devices on kids that's something you do for animals but if it keeps kids safe it's something parents have to consider.
ReplyDeletePeople really need to realize what we're really talking about here is tragedy- prevention. If a harness and leash is what it takes to prevent a tragedy, then that's what you do!
DeleteBesides, it is not typical human behavior to wander away from one's group and the safety it provides, is it?
There are other programs available also. Not all are in all areas however. We, in central WI, have Project Lifesaver; which uses radio frequency instead of GPS. There are limitations to both devices and I encourage everyone with a loved one that wanders to look into it. Usually local sheriff offices and aging and disability resources centers have the information.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see there is going to be some help for parents with kids who wander - we are lucky in that our autistic daughter never had that particular issue, but we know people who had to keep their doors deadbolt locked at all times to keep their son from bolting. This is a real issue faced by many families and it is nice to see a program that can help.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to mention a great website for families impacted by autism, www.asd-dr.com is designed to help families find the treatments, therapists and services they need in the local area. It also has a lot of links to online support through links to organizations, forums and other references.
My 17 year old nephew is developmentally delayed. He purposely tries to evade caregivers, and they are worried he'll get lost in wilderness (we live in a rural area). We're looking for something he can't take off. I know it sounds awful, but the alternative for him is being locked up, which is worse. Is there something like what is used for prisoners that people can't take off? Thanks
ReplyDeleteEvery parent deserves the right to protect their child. Both of my children use angelsense.com and it gives me great peace of mind to know where they are at all times. Schools should welcome the device as a way to keep our children safe. im currently using Trackimo as GPS tracker for my son and works perfectly great. for more info of the device you can visit their website www.trackimo.com
ReplyDelete