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So at the end of last month I had blogged about the
BIG RED SAFETY BOX put out by the National Autism Association. It's a box that you can apply to receive for free if you have an autistic child in your household.
So .... I thought it sounded interesting, and I applied.
Last week we got a post card in the mailbox (I don't grab mail everyday) ... saying we had a parcel to pick up at the post office.
I was all....... huh, wonder what it is?
Then Dennis mentioned that it maybe his communication device, and I started thinking crap.... I should go get it now, but it was already to late and I'd have to wait.
Yesterday I went to pick it up .... I got to the post office, waited in line and when it was my turn, I handed him the card and he brought me this red box.
I was thinking ..........
what the hell???
No really, that's what I was thinking.
It was too light to be his device, and I had completely forgotten about the Big Red Safety Box. So I started to rip it open walking across the parking lot and Calahan was all "why don't you wait until we get home" ....
Cuz I'm more impatient then YOU sometimes.....
But I didn't say that....
So I open it and I see the door alarms, and I remember.
Inside was ....
There was a folder with papers in it.
The first one was a list of everything in the box and how to use it.
(we only got one decal, not two ... but oh well.)
Then there is the Caregiver Checklist Tool.... which is pretty interesting.
- I have secured my home, I have taught, or am teaching, my child/adult about wandering dangers.
- I have enrolled my child/adult in swimming lessons.
- I have alerted my TRUSTED neighbors.
- I have alerted my local first responders.
- I have obtained a wearable ID for my child that contains all of my contact information.
- I will initiate a "Tag, You're It" system during family gatherings, commotion, transitions.
- I will monitor any changes in my home's security, especially during times of weather or seasonal transitions.
- I have addressed wandering at school, summer camp, and other external settings.
- I continue to reassess as my child/adult grows and/or learns new ways to possibly exit.
- I continue to document actions taken to protect my loved one.
These are all very interesting and I hadn't thought of all this.
The next thing was a Family Wandering Emergency Plan.
Starts off by listing critical information.....
Then goes into emergency steps....
On the back, there are other things, like .... list the places your child is likely to go in the neighborhood. Before an emergency happens, assign at least five "Search Angels" who will be willing to drop everything to help search for your child. It also gives you spots to write down law enforcement numbers, local media, and other notes.
And might I add.... I recently read something that I thought was an amazing suggestion. Take a picture of your child every day - especially if you are out and about. That way you have a picture of them - that day - with exactly what clothes they were wearing and all that. You never know when that picture might come in handy!
Then there is the Autism Elopement Alert Form - Person Specific Information for First Responders
It's a pretty extensive front and back form with all sorts of questions.
And then there is the Sample Wandering-Prevention IEP Letter....
I know that a lot of this stuff, I didn't think about. So I am going to make copies of the forms, fill them out - and keep the originals in case we move and information needs to change on them.
There was also the Autism & Safety Wandering Pamphlet ...
Along with all these papers .... were two door alarms ...
I immediately put one on the door and tested it out. It didn't scare Nathan at all - but it intrigued him. He was very interested in the beeping. Kaedyn didn't like it ... one bit. He ran out of the room with his hands over his ears.
There was a large stop sign and four smaller ones - for a visual reminder of STOP ....
There is the Road Tag ID that you register with your child's information and your information and you attach it to their shoes.
And there is also a rubber bracelet ....
One side says "Safety Alert" and the other says "I have Autism" ...
Then there is the ONE (not two) Decals I got... it's a static window cling, and it's written on there in a mirror image - so I used my photography editing program to flip it so it can be read ....
We're already starting to implement some of it........
the large stop sign is on our door....
the alarm is up...
it only has to be opened this much before going off....
Definitely really helpful! So thank you very much National Autism Association .....
It seems you can still apply for a
FREE ONE or you can go to the
Big Red Safety Shop and buy them, and other items!
