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Article of Interest - Parenting

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Bridges4Kids LogoHow Do We Keep Him Safe?
Theodore G. Coutilish and Mary Beth Langan, September 10, 2004
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Many things may run through a parent’s mind after he or she reads about certain tragedies.

In the past month, you may have heard of three people with autism who died after wandering from their homes. One died as the result of being hit by an automobile; two drowned within a short distance of home.

How do we keep Andrew, our 3 1/2-year-old son, safe? How does anyone keep his or her child safe?

Within 45 minutes of calling Lt. Ron Wieczorek of the City of Grosse Pointe Police Department, Andrew was being fingerprinted for his safety ID card. All of the Grosse Pointe officers they saw were friendly.

We hope Andrew will continue to learn officers are not people of whom to be afraid. If he’s afraid of them, he may run away from them at a time when he actually needs them and should be running toward them.

There are even more reasons to teach this lesson to a child with special needs:

* It is five to 10 times more likely for a person with a disability to have contact with the police.

* Individuals with a disability are four to 10 times more likely to be victims of crime.

* Individuals with a disability are 50 to 99 percent more likely to be victimized by someone they know, such as a relative, teacher or bus driver (“Protecting Loved Ones With Autism,” C. Gammicchia, ASA Advocate, 2003, 2nd edition).

While at the police station for the fingerprinting, Mary Beth and Andrew dropped off a flier that invites folks, including first responders, to a Dennis Debbaudt presentation on September 27. Debbaudt is an internationally recognized authority on Autism Spectrum Disorders and safety issues. His presentation that morning will be “Autism Spectrum Disorders – Preventing Unfortunate Situations and Recognizing the Needs of Individuals with ASD in Our Communities.”

By the end of the day, Mary Beth had Andrew’s safety ID card completed, including his little fingerprints, and the knowledge that the City of Grosse Pointe Police Department was sending someone to participate in the training with Debbaudt. She slept a bit more sound that night knowing she had done a little to help keep Andrew safe.

It may help you get a good night’s rest, too.

    

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